Scope
Reference
ssq_587 - Market Engagement - National Centre for Arts and Music Education
Description
On 18 March, the Secretary of State for Education announced* that young people across the country will have greater access to high-quality arts education and wider creative opportunities as part of the wider mission to break down barriers and ensure every child can achieve and thrive.
This will be achieved through the development of a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education that will support the delivery of high-quality arts education in subjects such as art and design, dance, drama and music. It will do this through: a new online training offer for teachers, promoting opportunities for children and young people to pursue their artistic and creative interests in school; and by boosting partnerships between schools and cultural providers. The National Centre will also become national deliver partner for the existing Music Hubs programme.
The National Centre for Arts and Music Education is expected to be established in September 2026, with a delivery lead appointed through an open procurement. The Department will be seeking organisations with the capacity and experience to implement and start delivering quickly on this programme.
The purpose of this engagement notice is to notify organisations of the Department's intention to establish the National Centre and to enable interested parties, including prospective bidders, to sign up for one of three 60-minute online information events as follows:
• Thursday 19 June 2025 at 1pm
• Monday 23 June 2025 at 10.30am
• Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 2pm
Information regarding these sessions will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer, https://education.app.jaggaer.com under ref. ssq_587 - Market Engagement - National Centre for Arts and Music Education.
It is also mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service.
This procurement will be progressed using the Open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023.
This is a zero-value notice for early market engagement and is not a call for competition. The Department for Education reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award.
*https://www.gov.uk/government/news/young-people-to-benefit-from-creative-education-boost
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
31 August 2025
Engagement process description
The information events will provide an opportunity for interested parties to receive further information on the Department's plans for The National Centre for Arts and Music Education and what we expect from prospective suppliers.
The three 60-minute online information events are on:
• Thursday 19 June 2025 at 1pm
• Monday 23 June 2025 at 10.30am
• Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 2pm
Information regarding these sessions will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer: https://education.app.jaggaer.com, under ref. ssq_587 - Market Engagement - National Centre for Arts and Music Education.
This engagement will be followed by an invitation to express an interest in bidding for the contract.
.
Contracting authority
Department for Education
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
United Kingdom
Email: anne.hardy@education.gov.uk
Website: https://education.app.jaggaer.com
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government