@choffee @CatherineFlick

Sorry to interject, but schools do *not* have to select solely on cost.

Schools have several routes to purchasing things like catering - for example using frameworks:
https://buyingforschools.blog.gov.uk/2023/05/25/a-beginners-guide-to-using-frameworks-for-school-buying/

That allows them to select on exactly what they value - which might be cost, or quality, or variety, or SLA etc
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-dfe-approved-framework-for-your-school

Undoubtedly some schools do go for the cheapest - but they can fire their caterer if they don't perform to standard.

@Edent @choffee I misread the thumbnail as “school bullying” and maybe that wasn’t as much of a misread as I thought 😅

@Edent @CatherineFlick @choffee interesting, thanks!
As chair of our primary schools PTA, it is always frustrating when the school cannot use local people to provide goods and services and their hands are tied to the county council approved suppliers list.
Good to know there are means for local businesses to get 'in the door' provided the managers of the frameworks are open to this. I'd guess framework agreements work at council level, not per school!

@Slash909uk I don't know where you live, but local suppliers can usually register on council frameworks.
See, for example, https://westberks.gov.uk/procurement

Most frameworks that I've seen are somewhat size agnostic. Although a sole trader is unlikely to win a contract to build a new school by themselves 🙂

@Edent I'm in Woolton Hill, Hampshire (but almost West Berkshire.) Looks similar for Hampshire frameworks too 👍
https://www.hants.gov.uk/business/contracting-direct
Not sure if they cover any of our PTA work building outdoor learning facilities.. I'll take a look.
Thank you!