Scope
Description
Langdon Park School is a co-educational secondary school in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with a student population of 1400 aged between 11 and 18 years of age. The school is supported by a team of over 100 teaching and support staff, including the catering team have LGPS pension schemes. There is one busy main restaurant, equipped with a modern, well-maintained kitchen, serving as the hub of its catering provision.
The School Business Manager, Jess Hughes, in collaboration with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), is committed to enhancing the school's catering services. As part of this commitment, the school is tendering its catering contract to secure a provider that can deliver the very best service for every student at the school. The new contract will commence mid- August 2025 for an initial three-year term, with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance and client agreement on budgets and service levels.
Due to accelerated timelines, the procurement process will consist of a one stage Invitation to Tender (ITT) process, managed under the Light Touch Regime. The School reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.
Compliance with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Mayor's Free School Meals Conditions of Grant is mandatory. Food Standards are subject to review by the council.
This contract is designed to reward proactive management, ensuring high meal uptake, consistently high food quality and tangible contract support. The School, alongside CCL, expects the successful Contractor to guarantee their financial proposal and maintain excellent service standards.
The School Business Manager and SLT has outlined key priorities for this tender, including:
A TUPE-compliant bid with recommendations for service equipment, serving points, staffing levels and a bespoke food concept to drive sales and uptake.
In short, the School seeks a trusted catering partner who can deliver their promises, achieve their sales targets, deliver their service enhancements in full. If bidders fail to demonstrate their ability to meet expectations, the school reserves the right to revert to an 'insourced' solution or post no award. Any investment proposals will need to be consistent with ESFA guidelines.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,000,000 excluding VAT
- £84,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 22 August 2025 to 22 August 2028
- Possible extension to 11 August 2030
- 4 years, 11 months, 21 days
Description of possible extension:
There is an an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance and client agreement on budgets and service levels.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 June 2025, 2:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
11 June 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 June 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple description | All details of the award criteria are included in the ITT documents. |
Price |
Weighting description
All details of the award criteria are included in the ITT documents.
Other information
Payment terms
30 days
Description of risks to contract performance
none
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
Due to accelerated timelines, the procurement process will consist of a one stage Invitation to Tender (ITT) process, managed under the Light Touch Regime. The School reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Contracting authority
Langdon Park School
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10016327
Bright Street
London
E14 0RZ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Cohesion Procurement Team
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.langdonparkschool.co.uk
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
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.
Cohesion Consulting Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Cohesion are managing the procurement on behalf of the school
- Companies House: 13682273
16 Mount Pleasant
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
TN1 1QU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Glenn Campbell
Telephone: +441892251001
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent