The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025. Photo: Shutterstock.
The Central Digital Platform has been introduced by government to make it easier for public bodies, like schools, and their suppliers to comply with the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025.
Some members have raised concerns about whether, as music teachers, they needed to register and if so, what they needed to do and how it would work. We have therefore provided a summary of the Act below which we hope is useful.
Procurement Act 2023
The Act came into force on 24 February 2025 and introduces significant changes to public sector procurement processes.
However, its direct impact on self-employed music teachers and freelance performers visiting schools appears to be minimal.
Exemptions for schools
The Act provides specific exemptions for schools (see definition below). Notably, schools are exempt from the rules governing regulated below-threshold contracts, which simplifies procurement for smaller engagements. Current thresholds are set out at Schedule 1 of the Act.
Since engagements with self-employed music teachers and freelance performers typically fall well below these thresholds, schools have greater flexibility in engaging them without complex tendering processes or additional reporting requirements.
Implications for self-employed music teachers and freelance performers
Given these exemptions, schools can continue procuring services from self-employed music teachers and freelance performers without adhering to the full spectrum of procurement regulations. This suggests that existing hiring arrangements are unlikely to be significantly affected by the new Act.
However, legal interpretations may evolve with case law. We recommend:
- Regularly consulting official guidance and updates related to the Procurement Act 2023 to understand any future changes that might affect your engagements with schools.
- When entering into a contractual relationship with a school, college, or other state-funded organisation, clearly define the nature of the engagement, payment terms, and responsibilities to avoid potential misunderstandings.
Definition of school
For the Procurement Act 2023, “school” means:
- the governing body of a maintained school (see section 19(1) of the Education Act 2002);
- the proprietor, within the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996, of an Academy within the meaning given by that section;
- the proprietor, within the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996, of a school that has been approved under section 342 of that Act;
- the governing body, within the meaning given by section 90 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, of an institution within the further education sector within the meaning given by section 91 of that Act;
- the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school within the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3)).
Please contact your regional office if you require further information or advice.