The Maplesden Noakes School ~ Catering Tender

The Maplesden Noakes School is an 11-19 Secondary School in Maidstone, Kent, serving a catchment area in Mid Kent. In February 2012, the School became an Academy. It is currently in the process of expanding its roll and has been expanding by an additional form of entry since 2017 with a view to expanding its capacity by two forms of entry by September 2021. The School also has a thriving and expanding Sixth Form and once all year groups are at capacity the school will have a student roll of 1500 students. The School has been undertaking an expansion plan for the last 3 years and this includes the expansion of the catering hall to accommodate the increase in student numbers as well as a 3-storey new build, Sixth Form additional Learning resource area and additional teaching spaces.

The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within both the facilities for the current 1244 students on roll and 147 teaching and support staff, 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, especially with regards to the Sixth Form offer.

The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1st August 2021 to 31st July 2024 with an opportunity for a further extension of contract of up to an additional 2 years (until July 2026) 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 Maplesden Noakes 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 breaks, lunch, 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 term of the contract is £1,010,791.75 (this is the total annual sales as above x 5 for the 5 maximum years of the contract) based on current student numbers during this period but the school has a rising roll which by the 5th year of the contract will increase to approx. 1500 students).

The Maplesden Noakes 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 students 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 inward capital investment as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed particularly in regard to the Sixth Form provision

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

Please see the SQ document for more details.