Beeches Learning & Development Trust ~ IT & Networks Tender

The successful Supplier will be required to provide IT & Network services for Beeches Learning & Development Trust.

The Beeches Learning and Development Trust (BLDT) is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in which Burnham Grammar is the lead and sponsor school. The MAT is a single legal entity and is the employer and holder of land titles and the trust board is accountable for all academies in the group, and made up of trustees, the majority of whom are current Burnham Grammar School governors.

By forming our own MAT, we are ensuring that we will retain control of our own destiny and preserve the unique ethos and aims of the school, the core principles of which will extend over all of the schools within the Beeches Learning and Development Trust.

Through our various outreach programmes Burnham Grammar School is already supporting primary schools in a number of ways and through the School Direct programme we are training the next generation of both primary and secondary teachers in the local area. Formation of the Beeches Learning and Development Trust formalises much of what we are already doing and provides opportunities to extend this work where we feel it is beneficial and appropriate to do so.

Beeches Learning & Development Trust may grow further, with a number of additional schools becoming part of the Trust during this contract period. The provision of IT & Network services at these schools, if they have joined the Trust, or ended their current IT & Network Services contract, will fall under the scope of this contract. The successful Supplier will be expected to provide this service at these additional schools using the same costing model applied to the successful tender submission. The duration of contract for these schools will not be increased and they will join the contract for the remaining contract period that exists at the point of entry into the contract.

The Trust is looking for an IT service partner that can not only manage and support the Trust’s IT network, both currently and in the future, but that also add value through proactive recommendations and enhancements that will support Beeches Learning & Development Trust’s strategy and growth. The aim is to support and enhance the current IT provision in schools, both for academic and administrative purposes. Proven expertise in the proactive development of IT Systems in an Educational Environment is essential.

The selected service provider shall be:

•Fully conversant with the latest and evolving legislation regarding the provision of IT & Network Services in a Secondary and Primary School environment

•Required to evidence their Quality Assurance and Security Systems

•Required to evidence their proposed Key Performance Indicator measures for the contract

•Required to present performance reporting and systems development recommendations to Trustees on a weekly/monthly basis

•Qualified to provide advice and support School IT & Network Services Hardware & Software Procurement activities

• Required to ensure through monitoring and visible measures the accountability and performance of onsite technicians
• Required to evidence a proactive approach towards Cybersecurity and Proactive Network protection
• Required to provide IT support for students sitting exams

The contract will provide onsite support, including maintenance, via the on-site technician/s located in school 5 days a week 52 weeks of the year. The successful contractor will be expected to provide and manage the service against an agreed Strategic Development Plan, ensuring the ongoing improvement of the Trust’s IT capability.

Comprehensive off-site system support is required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Maintenance and System Development activities shall be undertaken out with the 190 academic term-time days to minimise any disruption to pupil education and teaching activities.

The contract will commence on 1 April 2026 for an initial period of three years, ending 31 March 2029, with the opportunity to extend for a further period of up to two years at the discretion of the governing body.

The contract will provide Technical Management and on-site technicians, to the Schools ICT Infrastructure, including:

•Driving academic benefit from the existing 1:1 Chromebook Scheme

• Actively support of the Continual Professional Development of staff across the MAT
• Full server support and monitoring

•Fully Managed Helpdesk with Remote Support

•Full workstation support, software support, hardware support and repairs

•Trustees, Staff, Governor’s and Student email accounts and access setup and managed.

•Proactive contract management to ensure best value for money across all areas of the Trust management systems and utilities.

•MIS Support (including SAGE Finance System, SIMS, VoIP phone and cashless catering systems)

•24/7/365 network monitoring with call out and emergency 24/7/365 contact

The contract will be monitored by Trust Senior Representatives.

After the initial consultation and evaluation by the new contractor, structured fortnightly meetings will be held with the on-site technician to discuss day to day issues and actions taken and scheduled.

TUPE will apply with regard to the Network Manager (52 weeks) and IT Technician (52 weeks) currently employed for the provision of network services

It is anticipated that the service provider will be available to train and coach staff, where needed, in the use of new hardware / software as it is introduced. There may be occasions where the technician is required to provide support in ICT classes. This will be planned and added in to the work schedule.

The projected cost of Network Services, including employment costs, for the current year is circa £103K