Community Schools Trust Cleaning Tender

The Community Schools Trust is a highly successful multi-school trust, currently operating six secondary schools - five located in London and one Universal Technical College (UTC) in Norwich. The Trust supports some 5,750 students and is committed to delivering high standards of education and operational excellence. The Schools are supported by a team of approximately 730 teaching and support staff. The current cleaning services across the Trust’s schools is delivered through a combination of models, several sites are managed by Birkin, one by Hackney Council and one is managed in-house.

The Trust is tendering its cleaning services with the aim to appoint a professional cleaning contractor with proven experience in first- and second-generation TUPE transfers. The selected contractor must either hold or have the ability to achieve Admitted Body Status for LGPS pensions.

The contract is scheduled to commence on 1st November 2025 for UTC Norfolk and 1st April 2026 for the remaining five schools within the Trust. The contract initially spans three years with an option for both parties to extend the contract for a further two years, (3+1+1) beyond this date by mutual agreement. Any contract extension will be subject to the Trust’s satisfaction and agreement on budgets and service levels.

The estimated turnover for the entire five-year duration is approximately £7.5 million.

The contract is focused on consistently high levels of cleaning service and pro-active management. Regular termly and annual reviews throughout the contract duration are mandatory, and a break clause should be included to support both parties in case the relationship does not thrive. The Trust expects the successful contractor to deliver an excellent level of service, as well as high standards of support and a strong working relationship throughout the year.

The procurement process follows a two stage ‘Competitive Flexible’ approach, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage after shortlisting. This process is managed under the Light Touch Regime, and the Trust reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.