---
title: "Prison Education Service Core Education Lot 1: Avon and South Dorset Prison Group & Devon and North Dorset Prison Group"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-00be7e4c-e99e-47c4-a71c-6bca165d8b2a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-00be7e4c-e99e-47c4-a71c-6bca165d8b2a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-00be7e4c-e99e-47c4-a71c-6bca165d8b2a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-00be7e4c-e99e-47c4-a71c-6bca165d8b2a.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE"
published: "2025-07-29"
---

# Prison Education Service Core Education Lot 1: Avon and South Dorset Prison Group & Devon and North Dorset Prison Group

Buyer: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-00be7e4c-e99e-47c4-a71c-6bca165d8b2a

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## Summary

The procurement process led by the Ministry of Justice pertains to the award of the Prison Education Service Core Education Lot 1, covering the Avon and South Dorset Prison Group & Devon and North Dorset Prison Group. This tender falls under the services related to the detention or rehabilitation of criminals, with a contract value amounting to £55 million. Located in the South West of the United Kingdom, the procurement stage is at award status, with Milton Keynes College named as the supplier. Conducted under the Open Procedure framework of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, this process employed a selective procurement method using a call-off from an existing framework agreement. Key dates include the contract start on 1 October 2025, running through to 30 September 2032.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in educational services, particularly those geared towards rehabilitation and skills training within correctional facilities. Given the contract's focus on delivering core education services and tailored learning support, institutions with expertise in curriculum development, assessment delivery, and additional learning needs support are well-suited to compete and establish a foothold in this sector. While the contract does not specifically favour SMEs or VCSEs, larger entities like Milton Keynes College have the resources and scale necessary to meet the comprehensive service requirements outlined by the Ministry of Justice. Such involvement could facilitate business growth by enhancing service capabilities and expanding institutional portfolios in education within the penal system.

## Notice

This notice is for the award of Lot 1: Avon and South Dorset Prison Group & Devon and North Dorset Prison Group. The Prisoner Education Services (PES) is a UK government initiative with three overarching strategic priorities; improving prisoner numeracy and literacy skills, incentivizing prisoners to improve their qualifications and skills to increase their prospects of finding work on release, and ensuring that Governors and their teams have the knowledge, tools, support and accountabilities that they need to make this work. PES seeks to transform learning in jails as part of a renewed push to skill up offenders and protect the public. PES Core Education will include teaching and delivery of a two-layered curriculum for independence and for opportunity which meets the needs of prisoners, as well as high quality, timely screening and assessment delivery and tailored and impactful additional learning needs support. The Ministry of Justice launched the PES Panel to reform how education is delivered across the adult prison estate in England. The first call-offs under this framework focused on Core Education Services, including teaching and delivery of a two-layered curriculum for independence (essential subjects such as English, Maths, digital skills) and curriculum for opportunity, which meets the needs of prisoners. The Core Education contracts also include high quality, timely screening and assessment delivery; tailored and impactful additional learning needs support; and (where applicable) prison library services. The contracts are split into 11 regional lots and aim to provide a consistent, high-quality education offer that supports rehabilitation, reduces reoffending, and improves employability and resettlement outcomes for prisoners. The procurement was conducted under the Open Procedure in accordance with the Light Touch Regime of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/991aca16-cfba-49a0-8bcc-5479c665b8a4 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Nov 2023 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £55,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £55,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF JUSTICE |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1H 9AJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services

### Codes

- 75231200 - Services related to the detention or rehabilitation of criminals

## Release History

- 29 Jul 2025 at 15:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/991aca16-cfba-49a0-8bcc-5479c665b8a4

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/991aca16-cfba-49a0-8bcc-5479c665b8a4
  29th July 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a3440403-0487-4d79-b620-c17d1dbad66d
  n/a
- https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/go/61046886019856604D4A
  Prison Education Service Core Education Lot 1 Redacted Contract

## Provenance

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