Best Value Policy

Academy Trust Name: Evolve Church Academy Trust

Academy Trust Company Number: 8569207

Best Value Policy

Rationale

Each Governing Body within the Evolve Church Academy Trust is accountable for the way in which resources are allocated within their academy to meet the objectives set out in their development plans.

Governors need to secure the best possible outcome for pupils, in the most efficient and effective way, at a reasonable cost. This will lead to continuous improvement in the school’s achievements and services. The Board of Evolve Church Academy Trust will review this annually.

What Is Best Value?

Governors will apply the four principles of Best Value:

  • Challenge – Is the school’s performance high enough? Why and how is a service provided? Do we still need it? Can it be delivered differently? What do parents want?
  • Compare – How does the school’s pupil performance and financial performance compare with other schools?
  • Consult – How does the school seek the views of stakeholders about the services the school provides?
  • Compete – How does the school secure efficient and effective services? Are services of appropriate quality, economic?

The Governors and School Managers

The Governors and school managers will apply the principles of best value when making decisions about:

  • the allocation of resources to best promote the aims and values of the school.
  • the targeting of resources to best improve standards and the quality of provision.
  • the use of resources to best support the various educational needs of all pupils.

They will

  • make comparisons with other/similar schools using data.
  • challenge proposals, examining them for effectiveness, efficiency and cost.
  • require suppliers to compete on grounds of cost, quality and sutitablity.
  • consult stakeholders and organisations on quality and suitability of services provided to parents and children.

They will not

  • waste time and resources to make minor savings in costs
  • waste time and resources by seeking tenders for minor supplies and services where preferred suppliers who regularly work for the school have shown themselves to provide a quality service at a competitive price. These preferred supplier’s Best Value is checked at a minimum of every three years through the process of gaining quotes from other suppliers and comparisons made. These suppliers can be found in Appendix 1.

The pursuit of minor improvements or savings is not cost effective if the administration involves substantial time or costs. Time wasted on minor improvements or savings can also distract management from more important or valuable areas.

Staffing

Governors and school managers will deploy staff to provide best value in terms of quality of teaching, quality of learning, adult-pupil ratio, and curriculum management.

Use of Premises

Governors and school managers will consider the allocation and use of teaching areas, support areas and communal areas, to provide the best environment for teaching & learning, for support services, and for communal access to central resources, e.g. the library.

Use of Resources

Governors and school managers will deploy equipment, materials and services to provide pupils and staff with resources which support quality of teaching and quality of learning.

Teaching and Learning

Governors and school managers will review the quality of curriculum provision and quality of teaching, to provide parents and pupils with:

  • a curriculum which meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and the needs of pupils
  • teaching which builds on previous learning and has high expectations of children’s achievement.

Purchasing

Head teachers, Governors and school managers will

  • Tender work and supplies in line with the guidlelines in the Financial Handbook, using the set templates. These are as follows:
  1. Goods and services up to £2000.00, discretion of the Head teacher
  2. Goods and services from £2000 up to £10,000. One quote from contractor on the preferred suppliers list, please see Appendix 1, this should be agreed with LGB and minuted. Template from MAT Financial handbook to be completed and signed by LGB
  3. Goods and services from £10,000 to £19,999,  three quotes will be required and a template from MAT Financial handbook to be completed and signed by LGB.
  4. Goods and services from £20,000 to EU Threshold (Approx 111K) – Medium value purchase requiring adequate advertising for a minimum of 10 days to allow level of competition.  Formal invitation to Tender Process must be followed and a template from MAT Financial handbook to be completed and signed by LGB.
  5. Goods and services from EU Threshold and upwards – High Value Purchase requiring full advertisement in OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) and allowing 37 days thereafter for expressions of interest, with a template from MAT Financial handbook to be completed and signed by LGB.

Purchase goods or services under £1000 direct from known, reliable suppliers (e.g. stationery, small equipment)

Pupils’ Welfare

Governors and school managers will review the quality of the school environment and the school ethos, in order to provide a supportive environment conducive to learning and recreation.

Health & Safety

Governors and school managers will review the quality of the school environment and equipment, carrying out risk assessments where appropriate, in order to provide a safe working environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

Monitoring

The following areas enable Governors and school managers to monitored Best Value

  1. Termly analysis of attainment and progress data
  2. Staff Appraisal
  3. Budget Planning
  4. Financial review by Headteacher reported to Governors, termly
  5. Financial benchmarking
  6. Analysis of school pupil performance data against all schools, LA schools, similar schools.
  7. Ofsted Inspection reports
  8. Accountancy and Audit reports for each academy within the MAT
  9. Accounting Officer review on behalf of the MAT.

Appendix 1- Preferred Suppliers by Academy

St Loys CEVA Primary Academy

CR Building Development

Abthorpe Broadband Association

ESPO

Alan Japp (decorator)

Cartwright Landscapes (grounds maintenance)

Grayling Thomas (Architect)

Oliver Fickling (QS)

Nick Price (handyman)

Stilp Property Services

Frances Le Pla (Ofsted)

Peter Nickoll (SIP)

Marry Tulley (SIP)

Geldards (solicitors)

Curtis & Carder Services (heating)

Chacombe CEVA Primary Academy

Seckington and Whitehead (Builder)

Town and Country

MIP Property Ltd (Carpenter)

Bee Tee Alarms

Hubtel (Telephones)

Espo

Escapes

Martin Hirons (Decorator)

JB Knowhow (Handyman)

Frances Le Pla (Ofsted)

Peter Nickoll (SIP)

Mary Tulley (SIP)

Geldards (solicitors)

Secret Garden (Club provider)

Rosie Clark (Club provider)

Phil Lines (Club provider)

Simply Education (Supply)

Ward Henry

Fuel Care

Specialist Fire Products

Alderwood Electrical

Culworth and Boddington CEVA Primary Academies

Town & County Plumbing & Heating       

GM Lawrence (Electrician)                                          

Brian Lawrence (Builder)                                                             

Mineral Star(Builder)                                                     

Stuart Nicols Waste Disposal                      

Bee Tee Alarms               

EMO Oil                                                               

National Wide Fuels                                       

School Photography Co                

Panda Cleaning                                

Foxy Cleaners                                                   

Yes Office                                                           

Northamptonshire Sport             

Premier Sport   

Paynes Nurseries                                            

ADT Fire & Secuity                                          

ISE Fire Products                             

Catteralls                                                            

Cheney                                                                               

Claydon Fox                                      

Chenderit Minibus Hire                

Cartwright Landscapes                 

Simon Lawton                                      

Glass Northampton                                       

The Staff Room                                                                

Simply Education