TenderSignal is the UK's most complete source of live education and training tenders.
We aggregate education procurement from 145+ portals — Department for Education, ESFA, every council, multi-academy trusts, individual schools, FE colleges, universities (procured via SUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, HEPCW, APUC and NEUPC consortia), apprenticeship providers and devolved education bodies. Coverage spans curriculum support, SEND, EdTech, professional development, ESOL, and the wider skills landscape.
Whether you're a sole-trader maths intervention specialist, an SME EdTech provider, or a major training organisation chasing T-Level industry placements, TenderSignal surfaces opportunities daily. Sub-sectors include SEND services, alternative provision, supply teaching, school improvement, university research support, apprenticeship delivery, and adult skills.
Education frameworks typically re-tender every 3–4 years; supply and SEND placements are continuous. Pro users see forecast notices — useful for engaging with multi-academy trusts and university procurement teams before formal call-offs open.
What's covered
UK education spend exceeds £100bn annually across schools (DfE, councils, MATs), FE (ESFA, colleges), HE (universities and research councils), and the wider skills system (DWP, ESFA, devolved skills bodies). The Procurement Act 2023 governs public buying above £213,477 (services) or £5.3m (works); below that, schools and councils use frameworks, DPS or quotes.
University procurement is consolidated through six purchasing consortia: SUPC (south), NWUPC (north west), LUPC (London), NEUPC (north east), HEPCW (Wales) and APUC (Scotland). Schools buy via CCS, DfE-approved frameworks (e.g. Crescent Purchasing Consortium, ESPO), and YPO. Apprenticeship and skills delivery flows through the ESFA's Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) and devolved equivalents.
Notable drivers include the Schools Rebuilding Programme, T-Level expansion, skills bootcamps under the Adult Skills Fund, the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (from 2027), and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) preparation cycles.
Education procurement uses PQQ + ITT for major contracts and direct mini-competitions for framework call-offs. Quality scoring typically weighted 60–70% — covering pedagogical approach, safeguarding, named delivery team, outcomes evidence, social value and equality/diversity. Schools and councils are especially focused on safeguarding due diligence and Prevent Duty compliance.
Framework presence is the dominant route. CPC, ESPO, YPO and CCS frameworks cover most school spend; the six HE consortia handle university procurement; ESFA's RoATP is mandatory for apprenticeship delivery. Mandatory checks include Enhanced DBS for staff, safeguarding leads, and Prevent Duty training records.
Common pitfalls: generic learning offers not tailored to the buyer's curriculum/cohort, weak safeguarding evidence (immediate scoring penalty), missing Prevent Duty compliance, no demonstrable outcomes from prior delivery, and bids that don't reflect the buyer's Ofsted/Quality of Education priorities. Strong bids show measurable progress data, named lead practitioners with QTS where relevant, and credible community engagement.
TenderSignal lets you filter by council, MAT, FE college, university or region. Education is highly geography-dependent for delivery-on-site work — set your delivery footprint during onboarding to see only relevant SEND, supply, tutoring and curriculum opportunities.
Single-school services £20k–£200k per year. MAT-level contracts £200k–£2m per year. University consortia framework call-offs £100k–£5m. ESFA apprenticeship and skills contracts vary widely — bootcamp contracts often £500k–£3m per provider.
Increasingly, yes. CPC, ESPO, YPO and CCS frameworks dominate school purchasing; HE consortia (SUPC, NWUPC, etc.) handle university work; ESFA RoATP is mandatory for apprenticeship delivery. Below-threshold direct ITTs still happen, particularly for SEND placements and bespoke services.
TenderSignal ingests around 150–300 education opportunities per week. Volume peaks in spring (academic-year re-procurement) and autumn (start-of-year SEND and tutoring needs). Apprenticeship and skills contracts are issued throughout the year.
Enhanced DBS for all delivery staff; Designated Safeguarding Lead; Prevent Duty compliance; QTS or equivalent for teaching roles (where required); Ofsted registration for alternative provision; ESFA RoATP for apprenticeships; ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials commonly required for EdTech.
Yes — SEND, tutoring, EdTech and alternative provision are particularly SME-friendly. Schools and councils actively encourage local providers. The Procurement Act 2023's lotting requirements support SME access. Many MATs run their own approved-supplier lists for specialist work.
Services above £213,477 (central government, including DfE, ESFA) or £164,176 (sub-central, including councils, schools, MATs) must be advertised on Find a Tender. Below threshold, schools use framework mini-competitions, DPS or quotes.
Each of the six consortia (SUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, NEUPC, HEPCW, APUC) publishes its framework refresh schedule. Apply during framework competitions; once on, you can be call-off'd by member universities without further full procurement. TenderSignal surfaces consortium ITTs and individual call-offs daily.
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