Scope
Description
The Surrey Cluster consists of 3 Trust’s within Surrey, plus two further infant schools. This cluster comprises 28 primary schools in total, where this tender seeks one catering provider for all 28 schools.
The Kite Academy Trust – 9 primary schools
The Kite Academy Trust is a nine school multi academy trust committed to its vision - for every pupil to be happy and healthy; to contribute positively to their communities and achieve academic excellence. Guided by our values of positivity, integrity, resilience, respect and aspiration, we foster nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environments where every child can achieve and thrive. Across all academies, we empower every pupil to develop the character, confidence and skills needed to succeed in life and make a meaningful contribution to the world around them.
Further information regarding the Trust can be obtained here: https://www.thekiteacademytrust.org/
The SWAN Trust – 10 primary schools
We are passionate about providing the best possible education, with the highest ambitions for all children. We believe that every child has the potential to succeed, and we are relentless in our pursuit of academic excellence. We also believe that it is important for children to feel happy, safe, supported, and loved, and we are committed to providing a positive and inclusive learning environment within the 21st Century.
Further information regarding the Trust can be obtained here: https://swantrust.co.uk/
The Alliance Multi Academy Trust – 7 primary schools
The Alliance Multi Academy Trust was formed in April 2018 and is currently made up of seven schools: two infant schools, two junior schools and three primary schools. TAMAT came together to provide the best education for our children through the best staff and systems. We have a clear focus on leadership, teaching, governance, professional development and collaboration at every level of the Trust.
Further information regarding the Trust can be obtained here: https://www.tamat.org.uk/
Heather Ridge Infant School
At Heather Ridge we are committed to our children. We want them to discover, explore and question their world. To encourage them to realise their dreams as well as achieving their own academic excellence and be the best that they can be. Our aim is to deliver an enriching, stimulating curriculum where every child is valued as an individual. We aspire to foster a love of learning and for all children to be happy and confident.
Further information regarding the School can be obtained here: https://www.heather-ridge.co.uk/
Prior Heath Infant School
Prior Heath is a two form entry school situated in Camberley. We serve a wide social mix of families, usually from extremely supportive backgrounds, with parents who have high expectations and children who are well-behaved. We have approximately 16% SEND and 14% EAL. In recent years the school has been full or over-subscribed and we have a roll of 180 children and we teach children aged from 4 to 7 years.
Further information regarding the School can be obtained here: https://priorheathinfant.co.uk/
Tender information:
The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to a total of 28 primary schools within 3 trusts and 2 infant schools in Surrey.
The contract term being tendered is for three years, 1st August 2026 – 31st July 2029. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st July 2031.
The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services across the schools. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime and after school services, over the academic year, plus hospitality services upon request.
Fresh ingredients prepared on site are required, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of the schools specific students. The schools are proud of their ‘family ethos’ and expect both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff.
Whilst Lots were considered, the schools are keen to secure one provider for all 28 schools to achieve financial and operational economies of scale across the contract, plus consistency of high quality operational standards and robust management across the whole cluster. The schools are not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather they are keen to secure ‘best value’ from this contract and to deliver ‘best value’ to their students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The schools seek a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to its highest abilities, at all times.
Competitive Flexible Procedure
This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.
Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 40% price and 60% quality.
Value of contract:
The Kite Academy Trust: The annual value of the current contract is £508,950
The SWAN Trust: The annual value of the current contract is £1,047,959
The Alliance Multi Academy Trust: The annual value of the current contract is £602,363
Heather Ridge Infant School: The annual value of the current contract is £65,600
Prior Heath Infant School: The annual value of the current contract is £82,945
Therefore the value of this contract is circa £2,300,000 per annum and £11,500,000 over the maximum 5 year contract term.
The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately.
Additional requirements and information:
•There is a minimum requirement for a contractor’s employers liability and public liability insurances of £10 million
•The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is £5 million
•There are incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme
•The catering services are currently contracted to Twelve 15 and one school with Impact Food group
•Please note that the Trusts included in this tender are growing and any other schools that may join these Trusts during the tenure of this new catering contract may, at the Trust’s discretion, be added to this contract.
•Please note that the successful tenderer will be required to pay the RIVA tender fee for this project directly to RIVA, upon their contract award.
•The Trusts reserve the right not to appoint in conclusion of this project.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Surrey:-School-catering-services./H8EGCXM8S7
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £11,500,000 excluding VAT
- £13,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029
- Possible extension to 31 July 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st July 2031.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
30 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Deadline for requests to participate
30 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
15 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 40% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.
Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 40% price and 60% quality.
Contracting authorities
The Kite Academy Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWBT-5638-YYLG
Holly Lodge Primary School, Stratford Road, Ash Vale
Surrey
GU12 5PX
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
The SWAN Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZYR-8153-WXLG
Beaufort Primary School, Kirkland Avenue, Woking
Surrey
GU21 3RG
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
The Alliance Multi-Academy Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTLN-2735-GNYZ
c/o Windlesham Village Infant School, School Road, Windlesham
Surrey
GU20 6PB
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Prior Heath Infant School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTXT-9261-TXTG
Prior Road, Camberley
Surrey
GU15 1DA
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Heather Ridge Infant School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHCB-1196-TBQG
Martindale Avenue, Heatherside, Camberley
Surrey
GU15 1AY
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
RIVA Partnership Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Consultancy supporting the Contracting Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPWL-9222-MYRJ
Hones Business Park, 1 Waverley Lane
Farnham
GU9 8BB
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey