The New GCA Framework: Compliance Should Be the Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
The way academy trusts procure supply staff has changed. From September 2026, single and multi-academy trusts must use the Government Commercial Agency Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment Framework, RM6376, unless they put in place a compliant alternative that meets Procurement Act requirements and does not exceed framework rates.
This is an important step for the sector. For too long, schools have faced inconsistent agency terms, unclear margins and transfer fees that made it difficult to understand whether they were receiving genuine value.
The framework introduces greater discipline. Approved suppliers have been evaluated, supplier fees are capped, charges must be transparent and temporary workers can transfer to permanent employment after 12 weeks without an additional fee, subject to the framework terms.
But compliance alone does not create a workforce strategy.
A maximum rate is not a target rate
Published framework rates represent ceilings, not a price that every school should automatically expect to pay. The Department for Education itself advises buyers to review individual agency rates because many suppliers have agreed lower charges.
The government’s 2026 benefits analysis estimated that capped margins could reduce the overall daily cost of a supply teacher by around 5% in primary, 24% in secondary and 20% in special schools when compared with the historic costs used in its modelling. Actual savings will vary, but the principle is clear: transparency and active comparison matter.
Schools should therefore ask more than, “Is this supplier on the framework?” They should also ask:
- What is the worker being paid?
- What employment costs are included?
- What supplier fee or margin are we paying?
- Is the rate competitive within the framework?
- What level of vetting, service and candidate support is included?
- Are we receiving useful management information?
- Could our schools achieve better value by coordinating their demand?
The Schools Mutual Services difference
Schools Mutual Services is an approved supplier on the GCA framework, but our proposition goes further than compliance.
As a not-for-profit organisation owned by schools, SMS was established to deliver value back into education. We operate with a cap on margins and a commitment to transparent pricing. Our agreed rates are up to 50% lower than the published GCA framework rates, depending on the role and assignment.
That difference can become significant when measured across a trust, particularly where supply demand is frequent or long term. More importantly, value is not pursued at the expense of candidates. SMS is committed to fair employment, PAYE engagement, recognised national pay scales where applicable, enhanced pension provision and strong wellbeing support.
For schools, that means a model designed to balance three priorities:
- **Compliance** – an approved framework route with the required contractual and safeguarding protections.
- **Quality** – education-focused recruitment, robust vetting and candidates matched carefully to each setting.
- **Value**– transparent rates that can sit substantially below the published framework ceilings.
Use the framework as a catalyst for change
The new procurement requirements give trusts an ideal opportunity to review historic agency arrangements rather than simply transferring them into a new framework.
Look across the whole organisation. Identify total agency expenditure, duplicated suppliers, recurring vacancies, transfer fees, fulfilment problems and variations in rates between schools. Then consider whether a preferred-supplier or dedicated-bank approach could reduce cost, improve consistency and make better use of workforce data.
The right partner should be able to help you anticipate demand, not merely process bookings after a problem has arisen.
Framework compliance matters. But the strongest outcome is a transparent, sustainable approach that protects public money and keeps the needs of schools, staff and pupils at its centre.
**Ask Schools Mutual Services for a free review of your current supply arrangements and find out how your rates, processes and workforce planning compare.**
