CA18527 - Danes Educational Trust

Danes Educational Trust · UK-wide · up to £7,900,000

What the buyer wants

Danes Educational Trust seeks a catering partner to provide innovative, high-quality catering services across 13 schools, including primary and secondary, focusing on nutrition, food safety, allergen management, and customer engagement for a three-year contract with a possible two-year extension.

Catering Services Opportunity

Invitation to Tender - Catering Services Across 13 Schools within Danes Educational Trust

Danes Educational Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional, innovative and collaborative catering partner to deliver high-quality catering services across its family of 13 schools, comprising 6 Primary Schools and 7 Secondary Schools.

As a dynamic and ambitious Multi Academy Trust, Danes Educational Trust is committed to providing outstanding educational environments where pupils and students can flourish. The Trust recognises the vital role that food, nutrition and the dining experience play in supporting wellbeing, educational outcomes and the development of healthy lifelong habits. Consequently, the Trust is seeking a catering provider that shares its vision, values and commitment to excellence.

The successful catering partner will be responsible for delivering fresh, nutritious and appealing food offers that meet the diverse needs of pupils, students and staff across both primary and secondary settings. The Trust is looking for a provider that will move beyond traditional school catering models, bringing innovation, creativity and commercial expertise to create vibrant and engaging dining experiences that increase participation and enhance customer satisfaction.

Menus should offer a range of contemporary, nutritious and appealing choices that reflect current food trends whilst remaining fully compliant with School Food Standards. The successful provider will be expected to continually evolve and develop its offer, ensuring that food provision remains relevant, exciting and responsive to the feedback of students, pupils and staff.

Food safety and allergen management are of paramount importance to the Trust. Bidders must clearly demonstrate that allergen awareness, risk management and food safety are embedded throughout their organisation and form part of the company's culture and operational DNA. The Trust expects robust allergen controls, comprehensive staff training, effective communication processes and industry-leading systems to protect those with dietary requirements and food allergies.

Danes Educational Trust is seeking more than a contractor; it is looking for a genuine strategic partner that will work collaboratively with school leaders and stakeholders to support wider educational objectives, engage with pupils and students, promote healthy eating, support sustainability initiatives and contribute positively to each school's culture and community.

Bidder Requirements

Prospective bidders must be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience delivering catering services within a Multi Academy Trust environment.

• A successful track record of operating across multiple school locations under a single contract structure.

• Proven experience catering for both Primary and Secondary Schools, with a clear understanding of the differing requirements, dining patterns and expectations of each phase.

• The capability and resources to successfully manage catering services across 13 schools comprising 6 Primary Schools and 7 Secondary Schools.

• Strong evidence of increasing meal uptake, enhancing customer satisfaction and delivering excellent value for money.

• Full compliance with all relevant legislation relating to food safety, nutrition, employment, safeguarding, health and safety, and allergen management.

• Robust allergen management systems, procedures and training programmes embedded throughout the organisation.

• A commitment to innovation through menu development, themed events, promotional activities and customer engagement initiatives.

• Proven mobilisation and change management expertise to ensure a seamless transition from any incumbent provider.

• Financial stability and the ability to invest in continuous service improvement, training, technology and innovation throughout the contract term.

• Demonstrable commitment to sustainability, food provenance, waste reduction and supporting environmental objectives.

Partnership Expectations

The appointed provider will be expected to:

• Deliver consistently high standards of food quality and customer service.

• Work in partnership with school leaders, Trust representatives and key stakeholders.

• Engage regularly with pupils, students and staff to shape and improve the catering offer.

• Support food education, health and wellbeing initiatives across the Trust.

• Maintain outstanding standards of food safety, allergen management and compliance.

• Drive continuous improvement and innovation throughout the contract term.

• Create welcoming dining environments that encourage healthy eating habits and increase participation.

Contract Opportunity

The contract will be awarded for an initial term of three years, with the option, at the Trust's discretion, to extend for a further two years based on successful performance, service quality and continued alignment with the Trust's strategic objectives.

This represents an exciting opportunity for an experienced and forward-thinking catering organisation to partner with Danes Educational Trust and play a central role in enhancing the daily experience of pupils, students and staff across its schools. The Trust welcomes interest from dynamic, ambitious and education-focused catering providers capable of delivering a service that reflects the values, aspirations and excellence expected throughout the Trust.

To access this competition:

Registered:

Login to https://suppliers.multiquote.com and view the opportunity CA18527.

Not registered:

Visit https://suppliers.multiquote.com then register and quote CA18527 as the reason for registration.

Any queries please contact MultiQuote on 020 3920 8054.

How Tenderoo reads it

The notice reads as one for a larger supplier: check the value, the geography and the requirements before committing time to it.

The contract runs for about 3 years, with the stated value covering the whole period.

Services required

• School meals

What you will need to show

• Experience in Multi Academy Trust catering — Supplier must demonstrate significant experience delivering catering services within a Multi Academy Trust environment.
• Track record of managing multiple school locations — Supplier must show successful operation across multiple school locations under a single contract.
• Experience catering for primary and secondary schools — Supplier must have proven experience catering for both primary and secondary schools, understanding their differing needs.
• Capacity to manage catering across 13 schools — Supplier must have the capability and resources to manage catering services across all 13 schools in the Trust.
• Evidence of increasing meal uptake and customer satisfaction — Supplier must provide strong evidence of increasing meal uptake, enhancing customer satisfaction, and delivering value for money.
• Compliance with food safety, nutrition, employment, safeguarding, health and safety, allergen management laws — Supplier must fully comply with all relevant legislation related to food safety, nutrition, employment, safeguarding, health and safety, and allergen management.
• Robust allergen management systems and training — Supplier must have embedded allergen management systems, procedures, and training programs throughout their organisation.
• Commitment to innovation in menu and customer engagement — Supplier must demonstrate commitment to innovation through menu development, themed events, promotions, and customer engagement.
• Mobilisation and change management expertise — Supplier must demonstrate proven expertise in mobilisation and change management to ensure smooth transition from incumbent provider.
• Financial stability and investment capability — Supplier must show financial stability and ability to invest in service improvement, training, technology, and innovation during the contract.
• Commitment to sustainability and environmental objectives — Supplier must demonstrate commitment to sustainability, food provenance, waste reduction, and supporting environmental goals.

Key facts

• Buyer: Danes Educational Trust
• Estimated value: up to £7,900,000
• Deadline: 19 November 2026
• Contract period: 31 March 2027 to 31 March 2030
• Location: UK-wide
• Published on: Contracts Finder
• First seen by Tenderoo: 8 October 2026
• CPV: 15894210

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