Background
The Department for Education (DfE) has responsibility for overseeing the school system. It has ultimate accountability for ensuring value for money from the funding it provides to schools each year, £71 billion in 2025-26. The school system has faced financial pressures in recent years.
DfE provides schools with support and guidance to help them make effective use of the funding provided. This includes the Maximising Value for Pupils programme, announced in December 2025, to help schools to get the most from their resources around commercial spend, assets, workforce and developing capability.
Scope
This study will examine how DfE oversees schools to maximise value from their resources, including through its Maximising Value for Pupils programme. It will consider whether:
- DfE’s approach to helping schools is underpinned by a robust understanding of the opportunities and challenges
- DfE is making effective use of its insights, levers and influence
- DfE’s Maximising Value for Pupils programme is helping schools get better value from their resources
NAO team
Director: Emma Willson
Study Manager: Tosin Omole and Lis Moore