How to win: The Keys Academy Trust - Catering Services (2026)

About this contract

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

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — THE KEYS ACADEMY TRUST scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓At £3,695,000, expect quality and social value to carry a large share of the score — price alone rarely wins services work.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: deadlines are tight and a strong bid takes iteration.

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