Tender: Catering & Hospitality Services for Wessex Learning Trust — 23 Somerset Schools (1 Aug 2026–31 Jul 2029)

About

Wessex Learning Trust is seeking a supplier for catering and hospitality services across its 23 schools in Somerset. The successful contractor will deliver guaranteed-performance catering to 20 primary and 3 secondary schools from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029, with a single three-year extension option on the same terms; additional schools joining the Trust during the contract will be added under the same costing model for the remaining contract period. The contractor must expand the current food range, maintain consistent high standards, engage customers and parents via digital platforms and social media, and utilise a truly local supply chain for bakery products, meat, fruit and vegetables, and dairy. Universal free school meals and free school meals will be charged to the client monthly at net food cost and all hospitality charged at net food cost; the approximate current annual turnover for the contract is £1.8m. Proposals should demonstrate innovation, environmental and carbon-neutral plans aligned to the Trust’s policies, sustainability and social value reporting at management reviews, and progressive employment terms to minimise staff turnover.