Open21 days left · express interest by 5pm, Friday 4 December 2026

The Keys Academy Trust - Catering Services (2026)

The Keys Academy Trust · Education

In brief

The Keys Academy Trust is looking for suppliers for catering work (South East).

The estimated value is £3,695,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 5 years with extensions, starting 1 August 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

This is the first stage: register your interest by 5pm, Friday 4 December 2026, and shortlisted suppliers are invited to bid.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by
5pm, Thursday 19 November 2026
Express interest by
5pm, Friday 4 December 2026

This is the first stage. You register interest now, and shortlisted suppliers are invited to bid later.

How bids are scored

Quality 90% · Price 10%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for catering contracts in this region (from 59 awards in the last 12 months).

The buyer expects to buy this again around November 2028.

What the notice says

The Keys Academy Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service. The services at the Trust schools are outsourced. The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of a full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main hall used as dining areas and kitchen/ servery. Across the Trust there are currently 2904 pupils on roll for the academic year 2026/27. Of this figure, 1142 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 222 to Free School Meals. TUPE is expected to apply, details of which can be found in the tender documentation. The Trust is keen to further increase uptake and continue the good work already in place for catering. It wishes to do so by working closely with the successful contractor in developing and continuously improving the service and partnership during the period of the contract and by introducing innovative and creative ideas as submitted in the tender process and ongoing. The Trust is aware that there are always opportunities to improve and modernise. They are interested in ensuring that the caterers provide the best possible service, introducing new menu ideas and initiatives so that pupils are all eating and utilising the service regularly.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Send clarification questions before 5pm, Thursday 19 November 2026.
  5. Register your interest before 5pm, Friday 4 December 2026. Shortlisted suppliers are then invited to bid.

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 106190-2026

About the buyer

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From notice 106190-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 9 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 9 November 2026.