Selling to schools via authorities

Non-private schools are operated locally through local authorities (previously known as Local Education Authorities).  Many of these local authorities do employ advisers or advisory teachers, but although these do take a particular interest in their specialist subject area, in most of the UK they do not get actively involved in buying in products and services.

The exceptions relate to Scotland and N Ireland.  In Scotland the advisers do take a much more active role in organising purchases, while in N Ireland the whole of the ICT area has been allocated to two major suppliers.

For the rest of the UK, telling advisers of your products and services can be helpful, but it is not a direct route to the market.