Oaks Park High School

Oaks Park is a large expanding secondary school in East London. The School has been a client of Educo since 2009 and has recently re-tendered the catering service that was initially established by Educo and was subsequently extended for an additional two years.

The original catering service established by Educo in 2009 led the way to setting Food for Life standards and has grown the take up of school meals which have risen alongside catering standards and quality. The school benefitted from the establishment of a nil cost Educo contract that has also paid a profit share throughout the term of the Catering Contract. At the end of the original Catering Contract the contract was extended for a further two years. Educo managed the contract extension negotiations and ensured that the caterer invested new money into the service and school facilities as well as enhancing the profit share.

By 2015 it was a requirement to re-tender the service, the tender that was financed and run by Educo was OJEU compliant. Educo created a bespoke service specification detailing the school’s needs and ensured that the successful contractor operates within a legal framework that protects the quality of the service, nutritional benefits and all the other needs of the school and the pupils.

The tender process brought forward compelling bids that ensured a nil cost contract with considerable investment from the successful bidder and a guaranteed annual profit share. The contract also guarantees Silver Food for Life quality food and a new dedicated VI Form offering. There is ongoing KPI monitoring by Educo and there are financial penalties on the caterer if KPI’s are not met, so the school is well protected against any slippage in catering and staff standards.