Award

The Compass Partnership of Schools - Catering Services

THE COMPASS PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOLS

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

12 Dec 2025 at 17:38

Tender

06 Jun 2025 at 08:54

Summary of the contracting process

The Compass Partnership of Schools, based in London, UK, has awarded a contract for catering services with Compass Contract Service (UK) Ltd after a competitive tendering process. The procurement belongs to the 'School catering services' category and addresses the needs of its 5483 pupils, including those entitled to UIFSM and Free School Meals. The contract has been awarded following a selective, competitive flexible procedure designed and managed by Minerva Procurement Consultancy Services Limited. The award was announced on 12th December 2025, with the contract set to commence on 14th February 2026 and an expected duration of up to five years, including extension options. The procurement method focused on delivering value, innovation, and continuity of service across all Trust schools.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for companies in the catering sector, particularly those capable of providing innovative and high-quality meal services. Businesses offering creative menu ideas and efficient service provision aligned with school needs are well-positioned to benefit from such contracts. While Compass Contract Service (UK) Ltd secured the award, other companies involved in the tender process, such as Aspens Services Ltd and Dolce Ltd, exemplify firms capable of competitive participation. Catering businesses focusing on improving service uptake and introducing creative initiatives stand a good chance in similar future tenders from educational institutions looking to enhance their meal programmes.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

The Compass Partnership of Schools - Catering Services

Notice Description

The Compass Partnership of Schools is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service. The services at the Trust schools are outsourced. The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery. All outlets are available to all pupils. Across the Trust there are currently 5483 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 1946 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 1611 to Free School Meals. TUPE is expected to apply, details of which can be found in the tender documentation. Some members of the catering team (24 employees) are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme and all details are in the tender documentation. The Trust is keen to further increase uptake and continue the good work already in place for catering. It wishes to do so by working closely with the successful contractor in developing and continuously improving the service and partnership during the period of the contract and by introducing innovative and creative ideas as submitted in the tender process and ongoing. The Trust is aware that there are always opportunities to improve and modernise. They are interested in ensuring that the caterers provide the best possible service, introducing new menu ideas and initiatives so that pupils are all eating and utilising the service regularly.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0001

Renewal: The duration detailed above includes the initial term of 3 years as well as the 2 optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05441e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082694-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,125,972 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,125,972 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£11,221,709 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Dec 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Dec 20255 months ago
Contract Period
14 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2027-06-06

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE COMPASS PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOLS
Additional Buyers

MINERVA PROCUREMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE9 2JB
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ37 North Hampshire
Delivery Location
TLI London

Local Authority
Basingstoke and Deane
Electoral Ward
Norden
Westminster Constituency
Basingstoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COMPASS CONTRACT SERVICE (UK

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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