The Astley Cooper School ~ Catering Tender

Astley Cooper School: A secondary school with 1,035 students. We have a mix of a brand new building and older buildings on the site. Ofsted rated Good in all areas.

• Further details with regards to the school can be found here: www.astleycooper.herts.sch.uk ↗
• Catering services are currently provided by Aspens Catering Services
• There are not any incumbent staff within the Local Government Pension Scheme 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 of the school, 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 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2027 with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years at the discretion of the client. This contract 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 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 (where applicable); morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School meals are to be charged per pupil on uptake with a margin attached, 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, it is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The 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 pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. 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 funding improvements as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed. The value of the new contract for the full 5 years is £1,240,000. Additional information: Please note, this is a Contract Award Notice. This contract has already been awarded.