The Palmer Catholic Academy ~ Catering Tender

The Palmer Catholic Academy ( TPCA) is an 11-18 Catholic secondary school located in Seven Kings, Ilford in the Diocese of Brentwood.

‘The Palmer Catholic Academy is a voluntary aided co-educational Academy for students aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1961 by Canon Patrick Palmer in 1961 as Canon Palmer Catholic School with the aim of serving the Catholic community in Ilford, the academy has grown in numbers and stature. In 1961 the school educated 300 students as opposed to 1,100 today. The academy has undergone many changes over the years, but at the heart, all we do has remained the same. We are a modern academy with traditional values.’

The school is presenting an exciting opportunity to partner with a specialist Supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting the health and wellbeing of their circa 1100pupils and 140 staff through the catering provision.

Current catering sales revenue is in excess of £300k per annum, over three services – breakfast, morning break and lunchtime. Currently there are 5 service points, all replicating the same service offer where possible – with some segregation of year groups. At lunchtime main meals vary daily but will include hot entrees with appropriate accompaniments, vegetarian alternatives, jackets & fillings and a selection of hot and cold sandwiches. Each entrée is bundled with Drink and dessert to make up the meal deal. A Halal alternative is always available.

The Client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high-street and in supermarkets that pupils frequent and therefore need to be reflected in the school dining environment. There is a need to maximise sales and uptake to contribute against overheads – this can be achieved by offering a dynamic and bespoke food offering at the two main food services

The key areas of focus for the successful service provider will include;

Fresh and innovative menus that are nutritionally balanced and appealing with regular healthy alternatives;

The best use of fresh produce and prime cooking;

Efficient and consistent speed of service with great student and staff interaction;

Catering staff integration with the School community and support with Curriculum activities.

Identifying and potential funding of appropriate additions to the existing offer through focused investment

Enhancement of the current skill level of the team and more investment in on-site leadership

The Client expects the successful Supplier to evidence, through their bid, how they will deliver consistently in these focus areas through the contract term.

The existing team have resilience and consistency in day to day production, indeed with the prime cooking equipment currently available, they are being very productive, but in order to produce the innovative and dynamic food offer required they will need to be supported by an engaged operational team that can demonstrate and upskill menu content to provide services that meet expectation.

Aside from the food, the front of house environment in which the pupils engage with the catering offer is adequate but lacks some definition and merchandising, so the bidders will need to consider what the requirements are to drive the whole pupil experience in the dining hall and other service areas.

With a contract start date of Summer 2026, the Supplier will need to consider how they will manage the mobilisation and launch the service in what should be a good length of mobilisation/ remobilisation period.

The Client is seeking a catering service partner that has the ability and appetite to work flexibly and with complete transparency to deliver an exceptional standard of service and take on the development of a loyal and dedicated team. The contract will be for an initial three year-term, with likely potential for further extensions of 1+1 years.

The catering tender presents an exciting time for the School and the Client group is looking forward to developing a successful partnership with a service provider demonstrating the right cultural fit as well as hunger and appetite for continuous improvement.

Please see PSQ Document for more information.