The Weald Community School and 6th Form ~ Catering Tender

The Weald Community School is a vibrant Local Authority maintained Secondary School based in Billingshurst in West Sussex, which was founded in 1956. We are proud to be a beacon of our community and offer ample opportunities for all our students throughout their school career from volunteering to enrichment trips and projects. Last Summer we achieved our best ever GCSE and A level results that we are extremely proud of, opportunity and community is what we are all about and it runs through everything we do, both academically, and pastorally to ensure our young people are prepared for adulthood and their journey beyond school.

The Weald Community School and 6th Form Scope of opportunity statement - Catering Provision

The Weald Community School is a vibrant Local Authority maintained Secondary School based in Billingshurst in West Sussex, which was founded in 1956. We are proud to be a beacon of our community and offer ample opportunities for all our students throughout their school career from volunteering to enrichment trips and projects. Last Summer we achieved our best ever GCSE and A level results that we are extremely proud of, opportunity and community is what we are all about and it runs through everything we do, both academically, and pastorally to ensure our young people are prepared for adulthood and their journey beyond school

The tender project is seeking to appoint an established Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 1484 lower school students and 305 sixth form students on roll. Also to provide a catering service for the 250 teaching and support staff onsite day to day, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil 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 September 2025 to August 2028 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 The Weald Community 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 students 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 as best value where student meals are concerned incorporates more than just price.

The value of the current contract is: -

FY 22/23 FY 23/24FY 24/25

Cash sales (includes hospitality)£429,979£474,646£455,000 (projected)

Free School Meals £43,768£57,699£61,623 (projected)

Total£473,747£532,345£516,623

The Weald 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 Opportunity and Community for every student.

The School believes 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 Weald is very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful Contractor in these areas.

See SQ document for more information. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/84HNGWCZMN