School catering services

Tender description

The successful tenderer will be required to provide catering services at Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School. Shirebrook Academy is committed to ensuring that every Shirebrook Academy student meets their maximum potential and will equip all of them with the best possible education during their time at school, so that they are fully prepared to succeed in their chosen careers and be active and responsible citizens of the society in which they live and work. Stubbin Wood School Primary and Secondary departments are on a co-located site with Shirebrook Academy. Stubbin Wood is an Area Special School for both boys and girls from 2-19 years of age. The roll is set at 180 maximally, which includes part time places for community pre-school children, under 5s SEN assessment places and full time statemented SEN students aged 5-19. The Schools currently share the catering facilities, with the meals for Stubbin Wood School Primary pupils being prepared in the main facility in Shirebrook Academy and transported via a short, interconnecting corridor, to the dining area within Stubbin Wood School where it is served ‘family service’ style. Stubbin Wood School Secondary and 6th Form pupils attend the first sitting in the main dining area within Shirebrook Academy, where they gain valuable life skills in the self-serve facility. The contract being tendered is for 3 years in duration from 4 April 2020 until 31 March 2023, with the option to extend the contract term for a further term of up to 2 years and will operate as a guaranteed performance contract, with the successful supplier offering the Schools a guaranteed return/cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the tariff is to remain with the Schools for the duration of this contract. Whilst the Schools prioritise value for money as a key objective of the competitive tender process, the governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The tender project is seeking to appoint a supplier whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the teaching and support staff and students on roll, all of whom have a focus on the introduction of exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements. The Schools would wish the successful supplier to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services at the Schools, which currently includes breakfast, morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School Meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. The Schools expect the successful Supplier to enable the continued development of catering, through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The Schools expect the successful Supplier to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education. The Schools believe that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at School; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. Much time therefore, is spent reviewing and planning schemes of work to ensure that they are differentiated to meet the needs of all students. As a result, the Schools are very enthusiastic curriculum link proposals and would welcome the input of the successful supplier. As Schools who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for students and staff, to give them the facilities they deserve and need to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, any consideration regarding inward capital investment as part of the supplier’s tender submission would be welcomed. The Schools would wish for the supplier to look at making this investment within the existing dining areas, with attention being given to counter layouts and furnishings and the implementation of a procedure that would assist in producing a reduction of current queuing times. Further information is provided in the SQ Document.