During 2025/26, Fife Council Procurement worked in partnership with Education Services and technology supplier XMA to support the delivery of the Transforming Learning programme. Designed to enhance learning and teaching and improve outcomes for all learners, the programme relies on a robust digital infrastructure and strong collaboration between services, suppliers and schools. Through effective procurement, contract management and supplier engagement, the project not only supported the successful rollout of digital learning technology but also secured significant additional value for communities across Fife.

Procurement played a key role throughout the programme, working closely with the core project team to ensure delivery was well governed, efficiently managed and aligned to the programme's educational objectives. By building strong relationships across council services and with the supplier, the team was able to identify opportunities to secure additional benefits, reduce costs and enhance the support available to learners and staff.

As a result of this collaborative approach, more than £678,000 of additional value was secured at no extra cost to the Council. This included a £100,000 community package, comprising a £50,000 rebate returned directly to the Council and £50,000 of community benefits awarded to local organisations including I Am From Fife, Lochore Meadows Safety Initiative and Gilvenbank Community Project. These investments helped ensure that the benefits of the programme extended beyond schools and into local communities.

Additional value was also secured through a £54,000 donation of equipment, including device cases, digital pens and styluses, helping to support the effective use and longevity of digital devices. Procurement negotiations also delivered £173,000 in cost savings against the original pricing proposal and secured a further £251,000 of enhanced services, including deployment support, technical enablement and implementation assistance.

Recognising that successful digital transformation depends on people as well as technology, the programme also secured a professional learning package valued at £100,000. This provided staff and teachers with access to training in digital skills, classroom integration of technology and approaches to enhance learning and teaching through digital tools. Additional support was provided through sponsorship of the Transforming Learning Conference, helping to share learning and build confidence across the education workforce.

Procurement continued to identify further opportunities for value throughout delivery. These included free delivery of the second tranche of iPads, reducing logistics costs for the Council, support for schools in sourcing durable and cost-effective accessories, and arrangements for the recycling and resale of redundant Chromebooks, generating financial returns while supporting sustainable asset management.

The success of the programme was underpinned by close partnership working. Procurement provided logistics expertise to support delivery planning and device distribution, supplier management to ensure performance commitments were met, and contract management oversight to maintain compliance and resolve issues quickly. This coordinated approach helped ensure a smooth rollout while supporting positive outcomes for learners, teachers and schools.

Early feedback from learners has been encouraging. Schools have reported improvements in organisation and study efficiency, increased access to learning resources and enhanced accessibility for pupils who benefit from digital tools and flexible learning approaches. These early outcomes demonstrate how investment in digital learning can help create more inclusive learning environments and improve educational experiences for young people.

The programme supports the Plan for Fife priority of Community Wealth Building and Leading Economic Recovery and contributes to ambitions around improving educational attainment, increasing economic activity and strengthening joined-up public services. By combining effective procurement with strong partnership working, the project has maximised public value while supporting learning outcomes and community benefit.

Looking ahead, Procurement will continue to apply this collaborative approach to future projects, identifying opportunities to secure additional social value, improve outcomes and make the best use of public resources. The Transforming Learning programme demonstrates how strategic procurement can do more than purchase goods and services, creating lasting benefits for learners, communities and public services across Fife.