School catering services

Description

The successful tenderer will be required to provide catering services at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS) in Maidstone, Kent, was founded in 1888. It is a selective, foundation school for girls between 11-16, with a mixed Sixth Form. Judged by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’, it enjoys a reputation as one of the finest grammar schools in Kent, fostering academic distinction, intellectual curiosity, creativity and courage in our students. MGGS is committed to encouraging healthy eating and meeting the specific needs of school girls. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 1220 students on roll and 108 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting healthy food options to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1.4.2017 — 31.3.2020 and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the School a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with Maidstone Grammar School for Girls the duration of this contract. The School year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the School, which currently includes morning break, lunch, an option for hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. Whilst the School prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The value of the current contract is: - 2015 / 16: Cash sales: 1 274.80 GBP Free School Meals: 11 407.60 GBP Hospitality: 1 329.50 GBP Total: 14 011.90 GBP 2016 / 17 (year to date): Cash sales: 5 257.40 GBP Free School Meals: 763 GBP Hospitality: 598.10 GBP Total: 6 618.50 GBP Maidstone Grammar School for Girls expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The School expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Every Child Matters. The School believes that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. Much time therefore, is spent reviewing and planning schemes of work to ensure that they are differentiated to meet the needs of all students. As a result, the School are very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful Contractor. As a school who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for students and staff, to give them the facilities they deserve and need to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, any consideration regarding inward capital investment as part of the Contractor's tender submission would be welcomed. The School would wish for the Contractor to look at making this investment within the existing dining area. Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis. Please be advised that there are currently 8 staff employed to deliver the catering service; there are not current catering staff in the LGPS. Please be advised that the catering service is currently run in house/ contracted to Independent Catering Ltd. Please be advised that the School has a minimum requirement for a contractor's employers liability / public liability and professional indemnity insurance of £5 million.