School catering services

Description

Lydiard Park Academy is a secondary school in Swindon, Wiltshire, which became an Academy in 2011. They are the founding academy of the Park Academies Trust. 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 1 214 students on roll and 185 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The client would wish the successful supplier to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for 5 years in duration from 1.9.2019 and will operate as a guaranteed performance contract, with the successful supplier offering the client a guaranteed return/cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the client for the duration of this contract. The academic 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 school catering services, which currently includes two morning breaks, 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 client 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 client expects 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 client 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 client 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 client is very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful supplier. As a school 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’ tender submission would be welcomed. The client would wish for the supplier to look at making this investment within the existing dining area.