Basingstoke Primary Schools Cluster ~ Catering Tender

The successful supplier will be responsible for 7 primary schools in the Basingstoke area.

Overton CE Primary School caters for children aged four to eleven (Reception to Year 6). It was founded in 1847 as a Church of England Foundation. The current main building was built in 1969 and was designed as a semi-open plan school for 210 children. The school was extended and upgraded in 1998, 2001 and 2012. The school underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2018 and we now have around 400 children in 14 classes with 2 classes per year group.

The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 380 children on roll and 45 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of child tastes and dietary requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly.

The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1 January 2024 and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the School a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with Overton CE Primary School for the duration of this contract.

The School year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive children for the legal minimum of 190 days.

The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the School, which currently includes 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.

Whilst the School prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price.

The value of the current contract is: -

Sept 2022 – 31 May 2023

Cash sales£26,771

Free School Meals £5,814

Hospitality£1,000

Total£33,585

Overton CE Primary School. expects the successful contractor 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 School expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Every Child Matters.

The School believes that success should be celebrated and that children should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then children 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 children. As a result, the School are very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful Contractor.

As a school who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for children 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 Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed. The School would wish for the Contractor to look at making this investment within the existing dining area with an appreciation this is a multi-purpose space

Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis.

Winklebury Junior School is in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Please see SQ document for more information.