Weydon Multi Academy Trust ~ Catering Tender

WMAT is a multi-academy trust currently comprising 7 schools in the Farnham /Godalming/Woking area. The Trust was formed in 2017 and currently includes 4 secondary schools and 3 special needs schools. Catering Cash Sales per School are shown separately. Total contract value over a 3 + 2-year contract term = £6.7m We are looking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative, partnership and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within existing facilities for students and staff. Our next partner will focus on delivering a wide range of inspiring, high quality and healthy food concepts which will satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The Trust would welcome the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years, plus two beginning on 1st September 2024 and ending on 31st August 27. The contract will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the Trust a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the Trust for the duration of this contract. Trading Days The school year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are used for staff professional development (INSET) with some catering requirements on 1 or 2 days for each school. The Trust currently operates a long weekend school closure in the last weekend of November, which all schools other than Ridgeway, partake in. This means that our Schools will be open to students for 188 days. The secondary schools also close early at the end of terms, with a morning break service only. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the schools in the Trust, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free meal / duty meal requirements in secondary schools. The Special Needs schools do not currently require a morning break service. 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 current contract is included as a separate attachment. WMAT requires the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, quality, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients (where financially viable) being prepared on-site. The Trust expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement the principal values of the Trust. The Trust places great importance on the catering partnership within schools. Providing students and staff with attractive, high quality healthy food choices is very important. Our catering offer has a significant impact on the culture of our schools and so this tender is very important to us. We would like to encourage: •high quality food options •increased take-up of Free School Meal entitlements •increased numbers of students choosing a main meal option •students eating on China / cutlery. •greater sustainability practices across the catering provision including fewer single use plastics, recycling/reduction of food waste and wider sustainable practices. •additional opportunities for our catering partner to support the Trust Vision of ‘Transforming Lives’ through educational work with students to understand the importance and relevance of healthy eating habits for life. Please see SQ Document for more information. Additional information: Please note, this is a Contract Award Notice, this contract has already been awarded.