Published
At Redhill Academy Trust, procurement plays a central role in ensuring resources are used effectively to support teaching and learning. As Head of Procurement, Cheryl Choong has been leading work to strengthen processes, build collaboration across the Trust, and make sure schools achieve the best possible value for money. This year, she took part in the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) sessions, delivered in partnership with Inspiring Leaders, to deepen her knowledge, connect with peers across the sector, and bring back practical tools and ideas to benefit her Trust.
Why I took part
I decided to take part in the CPC sessions this year because I wanted to strengthen my understanding of procurement at Trust level. It was also really important for me to build stronger engagement with colleagues across the MAT and to share knowledge. By working collaboratively on different projects and frameworks, I saw an opportunity to achieve better value for money for our schools. At the same time, I am always looking for new ways of working and learning from the experiences of others, so the sessions felt like the right fit.
Relevance of the sessions
The topics covered were highly relevant to my role. I found the discussions on standard templates, policies, and procedures particularly helpful, alongside updates on the Procurement Act 2023. I also really valued the sessions on spend analysis and contract registers, which gave me practical tools I could take back and use straight away.
Putting learning into practice
One of the biggest impacts of the sessions has been on our procurement policies. We recently updated them, and I was able to draw on examples and ideas shared through CPC. Having access to these resources has helped us shape policies that are both compliant and practical, and it’s given me greater confidence in embedding best practice across the Trust.
What I’ve enjoyed most
For me, the best part of the sessions has been the networking. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with colleagues from other Trusts, hearing about their experiences, and identifying new ways of working. The opportunity to share ideas and challenges in such an open, collaborative environment has been invaluable.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, I’d like to see sessions on contract management training and more guidance on the ‘light touch’ procurement regime. I also think it would be really beneficial to continue working collaboratively and to identify common priorities across different Trusts so we can plan our approaches together.
My reflections
Overall, the CPC partnership has been a really positive experience. It has given me practical tools, helped us update policies, and created opportunities for genuine collaboration across the sector. Most importantly, it has supported me in finding new ways of working and ensuring that procurement delivers real value for money for our schools.
As a trusted name in education procurement, Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) brings decades of expertise to the Inspiring Leaders Procurement Partnership.
