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CA18527 - Danes Educational Trust

Danes Educational Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Oct 2026 at 19:42

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Danes Educational Trust is seeking a catering provider to serve pupils, students and staff across its 13 schools: six primary schools and seven secondary schools. The service covers preparing and providing fresh, nutritious meals and developing appealing menus suited to different age groups, dietary needs and school settings. The Trust wants engaging dining experiences that encourage healthy eating and increase participation, with food provision compliant with School Food Standards. The provider will also work with school leaders and stakeholders, engage school communities in improving the offer, and contribute to food education, wellbeing and sustainability initiatives. The Trust is based in Chorleywood, and the catering service is required across its school estate.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure. The contract is for an initial three-year term, with an option for the Trust to extend it by a further two years depending on performance, service quality and strategic alignment. The estimated value is £7.9 million. The contract period is from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with any extension at the Trust’s discretion. The submission deadline set by the buyer was 19 November 2026 at 09:00 UTC. The process is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. The opportunity description sets out service and supplier expectations, including food standards and compliance requirements, but does not state a scored evaluation formula.

This opportunity suits an established school-catering operator with significant experience in a multi-academy trust and a record of managing multiple schools under one contract. Providers need to demonstrate successful delivery in both primary and secondary settings, with the operational capacity and resources to serve 13 schools. Strong evidence of increasing meal uptake, improving customer satisfaction and providing value for money will be relevant. The Trust expects robust food safety and allergen controls, supported by staff training and clear communication, alongside compliance with food, nutrition, employment, safeguarding and health and safety requirements. Bidders should also bring menu innovation, customer engagement, mobilisation and change-management expertise, financial stability, and the ability to invest in training and service improvement. Sustainability, food provenance and waste reduction are expected priorities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CA18527 - Danes Educational Trust

Notice Description

Catering Services Opportunity Invitation to Tender - Catering Services Across 13 Schools within Danes Educational Trust Danes Educational Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional, innovative and collaborative catering partner to deliver high-quality catering services across its family of 13 schools, comprising 6 Primary Schools and 7 Secondary Schools. As a dynamic and ambitious Multi Academy Trust, Danes Educational Trust is committed to providing outstanding educational environments where pupils and students can flourish. The Trust recognises the vital role that food, nutrition and the dining experience play in supporting wellbeing, educational outcomes and the development of healthy lifelong habits. Consequently, the Trust is seeking a catering provider that shares its vision, values and commitment to excellence. The successful catering partner will be responsible for delivering fresh, nutritious and appealing food offers that meet the diverse needs of pupils, students and staff across both primary and secondary settings. The Trust is looking for a provider that will move beyond traditional school catering models, bringing innovation, creativity and commercial expertise to create vibrant and engaging dining experiences that increase participation and enhance customer satisfaction. Menus should offer a range of contemporary, nutritious and appealing choices that reflect current food trends whilst remaining fully compliant with School Food Standards. The successful provider will be expected to continually evolve and develop its offer, ensuring that food provision remains relevant, exciting and responsive to the feedback of students, pupils and staff. Food safety and allergen management are of paramount importance to the Trust. Bidders must clearly demonstrate that allergen awareness, risk management and food safety are embedded throughout their organisation and form part of the company's culture and operational DNA. The Trust expects robust allergen controls, comprehensive staff training, effective communication processes and industry-leading systems to protect those with dietary requirements and food allergies. Danes Educational Trust is seeking more than a contractor; it is looking for a genuine strategic partner that will work collaboratively with school leaders and stakeholders to support wider educational objectives, engage with pupils and students, promote healthy eating, support sustainability initiatives and contribute positively to each school's culture and community. Bidder Requirements Prospective bidders must be able to demonstrate: * Significant experience delivering catering services within a Multi Academy Trust environment. * A successful track record of operating across multiple school locations under a single contract structure. * Proven experience catering for both Primary and Secondary Schools, with a clear understanding of the differing requirements, dining patterns and expectations of each phase. * The capability and resources to successfully manage catering services across 13 schools comprising 6 Primary Schools and 7 Secondary Schools. * Strong evidence of increasing meal uptake, enhancing customer satisfaction and delivering excellent value for money. * Full compliance with all relevant legislation relating to food safety, nutrition, employment, safeguarding, health and safety, and allergen management. * Robust allergen management systems, procedures and training programmes embedded throughout the organisation. * A commitment to innovation through menu development, themed events, promotional activities and customer engagement initiatives. * Proven mobilisation and change management expertise to ensure a seamless transition from any incumbent provider. * Financial stability and the ability to invest in continuous service improvement, training, technology and innovation throughout the contract term. * Demonstrable commitment to sustainability, food provenance, waste reduction and supporting environmental objectives. Partnership Expectations The appointed provider will be expected to: * Deliver consistently high standards of food quality and customer service. * Work in partnership with school leaders, Trust representatives and key stakeholders. * Engage regularly with pupils, students and staff to shape and improve the catering offer. * Support food education, health and wellbeing initiatives across the Trust. * Maintain outstanding standards of food safety, allergen management and compliance. * Drive continuous improvement and innovation throughout the contract term. * Create welcoming dining environments that encourage healthy eating habits and increase participation. Contract Opportunity The contract will be awarded for an initial term of three years, with the option, at the Trust's discretion, to extend for a further two years based on successful performance, service quality and continued alignment with the Trust's strategic objectives. This represents an exciting opportunity for an experienced and forward-thinking catering organisation to partner with Danes Educational Trust and play a central role in enhancing the daily experience of pupils, students and staff across its schools. The Trust welcomes interest from dynamic, ambitious and education-focused catering providers capable of delivering a service that reflects the values, aspirations and excellence expected throughout the Trust. To access this competition: Registered: Login to https://suppliers.multiquote.com and view the opportunity CA18527. Not registered: Visit https://suppliers.multiquote.com then register and quote CA18527 as the reason for registration. Any queries please contact MultiQuote on 020 3920 8054.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a7930e7e-5508-4ec0-8b18-5e17c3bff35a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ecd27e50-1bd9-489a-ad12-72730a1a95cc
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

CPV Codes

15894210 - School meals

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,900,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Danes Educational Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHORLEYWOOD
Postcode
WD3 6EW
Postcode Area
Watford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH27 South West Hertfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Three Rivers
Electoral Ward
Chorleywood North & Sarratt
Westminster Constituency
South West Hertfordshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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