Tender

Castle School Education Trust & The Priory Learning Trust ~ Catering Tender

CASTLE SCHOOL EDUCATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

26 Jan 2026 at 16:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Castle School Education Trust, in collaboration with The Priory Learning Trust, is currently at the tender stage for a contract involving the provision of catering services. This procurement opportunity, titled "Castle School Education Trust & The Priory Learning Trust ~ Catering Tender," falls within the school catering services industry category, marked by a CPV code of 55524000. The procurement is being conducted via an open, competitive flexible procedure, and it covers two separate lots for both trusts. These contracts, valued at approximately £1.2 million per annum for CSET and £1.3 million for TPLT, are planned to align strategically as the trusts intend to eventually merge. The CSET contract will start on 1 April 2027 and run until 31 March 2030, while the TPLT contract will commence on 1 August 2027, ending on 31 July 2030. Bidders must submit their proposals by 14 August 2026, with the enquiry period closing on 20 March 2026 and the award period ending on 16 November 2026.

This tender represents a significant business growth opportunity, particularly for enterprises specialised in large-scale catering services capable of handling multi-site operations. The contracting parties envision extending their reach as additional schools join the trusts during the contract period, thereby increasing the scope and potential revenue for the winning supplier. Due to the detailed nature of the specifications and future growth expectations, businesses with robust logistical capabilities and experience within the education sector will find this opportunity particularly appealing. Additionally, the contracts are designed to accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing prospects for specialised yet scalable suppliers ready to meet the evolving needs of the trusts. The staggered mobilisation dates allow for a phased approach to commencing service delivery, offering a structured path to accommodate initial operational changes and alignments.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Castle School Education Trust & The Priory Learning Trust ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for Castle School Education Trust (CSET) & The Priory Learning Trust ( TPLT). The two separate contracts and 'lots' cover the scope for the provision of all catering services within the schools, which also includes free issue requirements. Contract value for the schools is circa PS1.2m per annum at CSET and PS1.3m per annum at TPLT. Whilst both Trusts are currently independently operated, they have strategic intent to join at some stage during the period of the tender project or subsequent catering contract, consequently both organisations intend to award this catering contract to the same contractor, as two separate lots. The Castle School Education Trust and The Priory Learning Trust are expected to grow, with a number of additional schools becoming part of the Trust/s during this contract period and the provision of catering services at these schools when they have joined the Trust/s will fall under the scope of these contracts. Similarly, any Trust Schools with alternative catering provisions currently in place could fall into scope of this contract as their current catering arrangements end. The successful Supplier will be expected to provide this service at these additional schools using the same costing model applied to the successful tender submission. The duration of contract for these schools will not be increased, and they will join the contract for the remaining contract period that exists at the point of entry into the Trust/s. Due to the scale of the contract, and to enable an effective mobilisation period, it has been decided to stagger the mobilisation dates with each Trust commencing at a slightly different time. Contractors are required to bid for both Lots, and the contract award shall be made at the same time. The contracts are being awarded based on an initial three year, with the opportunity to extend by a further period of up to two years at the discretion of the relevant governing body. *The CSET contract shall commence on 01.04.27 until 31.03.30. *The TPLT contract shall commence on 01.08.27 until 31.07.30. Please see PSQ Document for more information. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Bristol:-School-catering-services./UK65TK5AQC To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/UK65TK5AQC

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 1+1 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060eeb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006799-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£12,500,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Jan 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Aug 20267 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CASTLE SCHOOL EDUCATION TRUST
Additional Buyers

THE PRIORY LEARNING TRUST

Contact Name
Neil Cook
Contact Email
tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Contact Phone
01276 673896

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS16 9LH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK61 North Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK12 Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Local Authority
North Somerset
Electoral Ward
Weston-super-Mare South Worle
Westminster Constituency
Weston-super-Mare

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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