Special Schools Network

Department for Education require a supplier to create and deliver a national network for School Business Professionals in the special school sector. Supporting peer-to-peer engagement, professional development and sharing of best practice for the School Business Professional.

The supplier should create a bespoke professional network for SBPs in special schools that addresses topics and challenges unique to the sector, that are not covered through existing networks.

The supplier will be required to:

1. Organise, plan, arrange venues to facilitate face-to-face network meetings/conference of a high standard. Minimum of two national meetings per year. Face-to-face meetings held in locations that ensure coverage across the country.

2. Provide and facilitate an online forum for network members. Forum to be based on the needs of the membership.

3. Develop a business plan that includes steps for ensuring network sustainability with a low/no cost membership fee model and appropriate network governance established.

4. Help SBPs to share expertise, best practice and CPD opportunities in all areas of the ISBL school business professional standards.

5. Attend termly meetings of the DfE network leaders' forum, connecting with other network leaders.

6. Ensure the network is inclusive to all SBPs in the special schools sector, for example LA maintained schools, academies (SATs & MATs) and free schools.

Please submit any clarification questions to Schools Commercial email: …@education.gov.uk

There will also be an opportunity to ask clarification questions at a market engagement event which we will run by Skype.

The Skype Market Engagement Event providing more information for interested parties will be held on the 14th January 2020. To register your interest in attending this (by Skype) please contact SCT via email:

…@education.gov.uk