Planning

Preliminary market engagement notice - National Centre for Arts and Music Education

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

28 Nov 2025 at 10:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

27 Oct 2025 at 07:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Oct 2025 at 10:37

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

19 Sep 2025 at 14:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

15 Jul 2025 at 15:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

28 May 2025 at 16:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is leading the procurement process for establishing the National Centre for Arts and Music Education in the United Kingdom, with plans to support high-quality arts education nationwide. This initiative falls under the education and training services industry category and will be located in London. The process is currently in the planning stage, with the Invitation to Tender (ITT) expected to be published in early 2026. A phased work programme is to be ready for launch in September 2026, with a contract period extending until August 2029. Interested organisations have been encouraged to express their interest, particularly before the due milestone on 31st August 2025. The procurement method will utilise an Open procedure, according to the Procurement Act 2023.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses with experience in arts education and partnership building, particularly those capable of delivering a comprehensive programme swiftly. Suitable contenders may include educational organisations, academy trusts, or companies with expertise in online training and school partnerships. Businesses participating in this tender could benefit from establishing themselves as leaders in the educational field, fostering long-term relationships with the Department for Education and other cultural stakeholders across the UK.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary market engagement notice - National Centre for Arts and Music Education

Notice Description

On 18 March, the Secretary of State for Education announced* that young people across the country will have greater access to high-quality arts education and wider creative opportunities as part of the wider mission to break down barriers and ensure every child can achieve and thrive. This will be achieved through the development of a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education that will support the delivery of high-quality arts education in subjects such as art and design, dance, drama and music. It will do this through: a new online training offer for teachers, promoting opportunities for children and young people to pursue their artistic and creative interests in school; and by boosting partnerships between schools and cultural providers. The National Centre will also become national deliver partner for the existing Music Hubs programme. The Department will be seeking organisations with the capacity and experience to implement and start delivering quickly on this programme. The ITT is now due to be published before the end of the calendar year with a 10-week period for bids to be submitted. The intention remains for the National Centre to be established in September 2026, with a phased work programme to be agreed with the successful bidder. The purpose of this engagement notice is to notify organisations of the Department's intention to establish the National Centre and to enable interested parties, including prospective bidders, to sign up for one of three 60-minute online information events as follows: * Thursday 19 June 2025 at 1pm * Monday 23 June 2025 at 10.30am * Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 2pm Information regarding these sessions will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer, https://education.app.jaggaer.com under ref. ssq_587 - Market Engagement - National Centre for Arts and Music Education. It is also mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service. This procurement will be progressed using the Open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. This is a zero-value notice for early market engagement and is not a call for competition. The Department for Education reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. *https://www.gov.uk/government/news/young-people-to-benefit-from-creative-education-boost

Planning Information

The information events will provide an opportunity for interested parties to receive further information on the Department’s plans for The National Centre for Arts and Music Education and what we expect from prospective suppliers. The three 60-minute online information events are on: • Thursday 19 June 2025 at 1pm • Monday 23 June 2025 at 10.30am • Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 2pm Information regarding these sessions will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer: https://education.app.jaggaer.com, under ref. ssq_587 - Market Engagement - National Centre for Arts and Music Education. **UPDATE 15th July 2025 The Department is currently seeking expressions of interest from organisations with an interest in bidding, and this includes academy trusts. Responses are encouraged by Thursday 24 July. Please use the following link to express your interest: https://forms.office.com/e/71WgqY7W9T The information provided at the recent information events can be found on Jaggaer. **UPDATE 19th September 2025 The intention is for the ITT to be published in October 2025 rather than September as set out that the information events. A more detailed update of the procurement timetable will be provided shortly. **UPDATE 24th October 2025 The ITT is now due to be published before the end of the calendar year with a 10-week period for bids to be submitted. The intention remains for the National Centre to be established in September 2026, with a phased work programme to be agreed with the successful bidder. **UPDATE 28th November 2025 The ITT is now due to be published in the new year. More information will be provided soon.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052863
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077970-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
anne.hardy@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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