schools direct.

Planning resources for international school projects

International school projects need a shared understanding of the teaching goal and the conditions at the receiving school. Confirm what is useful locally before selecting resources or arranging transport. This guide helps prepare an enquiry and project brief; it does not provide an international ordering, shipping or customs service through Schools Direct.

Schools Direct editorialUpdated 2 min read

Begin with the receiving school’s requirements

Ask the partner school to describe the activity, age group, language and quantity required. Confirm the available space, storage and staff capacity to use the resources. A product familiar to the sending school may not fit the receiving school’s curriculum, maintenance arrangements or everyday teaching practice.

Write a shared specification with essential features, alternatives and the required arrival period. DfE specification guidance provides a useful planning principle: describe the outcome and quantity clearly. Let the local partner review the brief before it becomes a purchasing or donation list, and record who can approve changes.

Verify compatibility and logistics separately

For electrical or digital resources, have competent staff confirm the exact power, software, connectivity and support requirements at the destination. Do not assume a plug adapter resolves every compatibility issue. For consumable-based equipment, establish how the receiving school would obtain and manage the necessary supplies.

For example, a shared design project might use simple reusable measuring resources rather than a machine whose consumables cannot be maintained locally. Compare the complete teaching workflow and ongoing support, not just the initial delivery of an attractive item.

Ask the actual supplier and appropriate logistics advisers to confirm transport, import documentation, charges and restrictions for the destination. These depend on the goods and route; this page makes no promise about delivery coverage or customs treatment.

Plan receipt and a useful handover

Name the authorised receiving contact and confirm when the site can accept goods. Prepare a clear inventory and instructions in a form the partner staff can use. Keep documents and personal information within the organisations’ approved sharing arrangements.

Agree how missing or damaged items will be reported and who will resolve them. After arrival, check that the resources can complete the intended activity and that staff know where to obtain support. Record feedback for future projects, distinguishing successful learning use from the narrower milestone of a shipment reaching its destination.

Action checklist

  • Confirm local teaching needs before selecting resources.
  • Have the partner approve a clear shared specification.
  • Verify compatibility and ongoing consumable support.
  • Confirm logistics, receiving contact and post-arrival handover.

Common questions

Should an international project use the same resources as the sending school?

Choose resources that meet the receiving school’s needs and can be supported locally. Shared learning goals do not require identical equipment.

Sources and scope

Source titles are provided for reference. Check the current original guidance and your school's circumstances before making a policy or compliance decision.

  • Schools Direct editorial — Original school resource planning guidance and worked examples. Checked 1 November 2026.
  • Department for Education — Buying for schools: writing a specification. Checked 1 November 2026.

See how we prepare and maintain our guidance.

Keep exploring

Ordering & resource planning 2 min read

Choosing school posters that pupils can use

A school poster should help its audience do something: recall a process, compare ideas or find useful information. Choose the learning purpose before the artwork. Check accuracy, reading distance and placement, then give the display a review date. This page offers selection guidance and does not represent a current poster promotion or stock list.

Ordering & resource planning 2 min read

Comparing school discounts, coupons and bulk offers

A discount percentage is only one part of a school purchasing decision. Compare the exact resources, usable quantity and complete cost under the supplier’s current terms. This guide helps evaluate coupons and bulk offers; it does not issue a code, advertise a live promotion or promise that a reduction will apply to an order.

Ordering & resource planning 2 min read

Managing school supplier and service account access

School supplier and service accounts should have clear organisational ownership and controlled access. Identify the account’s purpose, authorised users and recovery arrangements before adding another login. This guide concerns managing accounts with the relevant providers; reading public Schools Direct resources does not open a retail account or grant access to an external service.