Select List of Alternative Education Provision for the Woodlands

Durham County CouncilcontractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-06b096Procurement Act 2023Light-touch servicesSME suitableactive
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Estimated value

£52.0m

services

Awarded value

Suppliers

0

Lots

1

0 awarded

Published

18 Jun 2026

Deadline 18 Jul 2026

Description

The Government strongly believes that every child deserves an education that enables them to fulfil their potential, whatever their background, needs or location in the country. Alternative Provision (AP) plays a critical role in making this happen. It provides support to children at challenging moments in their lives and each placement has the potential to transform a child's life chances - 'Creating opportunity for all' Our vision for alternative provision March 2018 1. Many young people accessing alternative provision make up some of the most vulnerable children in our society and are affected by a number of wider issues, which impact on their ability and willingness to engage in learning. 2. The purpose of alternative provision is to re-engage excluded pupils in their education. The ultimate goal of this work is to help these young people achieve all that they are capable of in their studies and prepare them for future life. 3. Durham County Council coordinates a Directory of Alternative Provision Providers. This Directory of Alternative Providers offers the Woodlands a range of providers from which they can select to make a placement. The Woodlands will determine where to place a pupil based on an individual pupil's needs. Delivery of Provision Placements follow a Monday-Wednesday academic focus and Thursday-Friday vocational focus. Provision hours: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm; unless agreed otherwise. Providers deliver:  A coherently planned curriculum linked to the National Curriculum and The Woodlands shared Curriculum for block bookings  Nationally accredited qualifications  PRHSE through structured lessons  Careers advice (2 opportunities per key stage) Focus areas include:  Building self-esteem, confidence, and communication  Encouraging responsibility and social skills  Supporting SEND pupils  Preparing pupils for employment, training, or further education Providers must be Ofsted-registered to offer a full-time 5-day education placement.

Scope

Reference
003734
Total value
£52,000,000 excluding VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
31 Aug 2026 to 31 Aug 2030
Possible extension to 31 Aug 2034

2 periods of 24 months allowable extension subject to budget and commissioner approval

Main category
services
CPV classifications
80000000
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Essential pass/fail questionsquality
Priceprice

Submission & procedure

Submission deadline
18 Jul 2026, 9:00 am
Submission address
tender documentation can be found free of charge at www.open-uk.org using open reference: OPEN20261063
Electronic submission
Yes
Procedure
Open procedure