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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Round 3

Nottinghamshire County Council · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:18.

Opportunity overview

Nottinghamshire County Council (the Council) is seeking to add further Independent non-maintained Special Schools (INMSS) to a new Framework Agreement under which the Council are looking to commission INMSS and Post-16 (where the provision is delivered in house by the school) provision of specialist school placements for pupils who are not attending mainstream or maintained special schools and who have an Education Health Care (EHC) Plan. This will replace the current Independent / non-maintained special schools Approved Provider List for Nottinghamshire (NAPL). All Providers currently delivering or intending to deliver services detailed within the updated Specification (Part 4 – Specification) must apply to be on the new Framework Agreement as the current provider list (NAPL) will come to an end on the 31st of December 2024. This initial phase of the framework will have two lots under which the Council can make specialist school placements (See paragraph 5 below for further details). In Lot 1 commissioners will put in place block contracts with providers and Lot 2 will see the establishment of an approved INMSS provider list This process is the reopening of the framework for new providers to bid to join the new INMSS framework and is the third tender round. This tender round is only open to bid to join the INMSS Approved Provider List which is Lot 2 of the Framework Agreement. The Council are not re-opening Lot 1 Block Contract in this tender round. Any providers who were unsuccessful in the previous tender rounds (1 and 2) for Lot 2 can reapply in this tender round (3). ANY PROVIDERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED IN PREVIOUS TENDER ROUNDS AND HAVE BEEN AWARDED A PLACE ON THE FRAMEWORK DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN IN THIS TENDER ROUND. To register your interest in this tender and to view the tender documents, the tender is published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Reference DN756213 The closing date for all tenders is the 28th of January 2025 at 5.00pm. Please note that a standstill period of 10 days will commence from the notification of the contract award.

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

A Place to Call Our Own (APTCOO)

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
7 Oct 2024
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-2
Status
active
Location
Budby, Nottinghamshire, UKF15, NG22 9EX, United Kingdom

Hardwick House School Ltd

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
7 Oct 2024
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-3
Status
active
Location
Loughborough, UKF21, LE11 3HU, United Kingdom

Kedleston (Wings Education) Limited

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
7 Oct 2024
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-5
Status
active
Location
Uxbridge, UKI3, UB8 2FX, United Kingdom

Silver Linings Education Ltd

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
7 Oct 2024
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-6
Status
active
Location
Nottingham, UKF14, NG8 4FR, United Kingdom

Autism East Midlands

Match pending…
Shared contract value
£250m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
29 Jun 2025
Suppliers
One of 4 awarded suppliers
Award ID
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Status
active
Location
Creswell, UKE3, S80 4AJ, United Kingdom

Esland North Limited

Matched by exact name
Shared contract value
£250m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
29 Jun 2025
Suppliers
One of 4 awarded suppliers
Award ID
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Status
active
Location
Belper, UKF13, DE56 0RN, United Kingdom

Witherslack Group Ltd

Matched by exact name
Shared contract value
£250m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
29 Jun 2025
Suppliers
One of 4 awarded suppliers
Award ID
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Status
active
Location
Cumbria, UKD, LA6 2PR, United Kingdom

Woodside Group

Match pending…
Shared contract value
£250m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
29 Jun 2025
Suppliers
One of 4 awarded suppliers
Award ID
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Status
active
Location
Leicestershire, UKF, LE12 7AT, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV80340000 — Special education services
  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services

Lots

  • Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement£115.5m
  • Lot 2 Approved INMSS Provider List£134.5m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
DN756213
Status
complete
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Lot Details

Maximum Lots Bid Per Supplier
1
Maximum Lots Awarded Per Supplier
1

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Period Rationale
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement which is greater than 4 years. The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is the potential to extend the framework agreement for up to a further six years in increments of 24 months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74-77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for Children and Young People with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan, and the extended duration of the framework agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

Tender Period

Ends
7 Nov 2025, 17:00

Contract terms

Has Electronic Payment
Yes
Has Electronic Ordering
Yes
Electronic Invoicing Policy
allowed

Classification

Id
80340000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Special education services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement
Status
cancelled
Has Options
Yes
Description
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' ran an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education. Under this lot the Council is looking to commission block contracts, known as “call-offs” from the Framework Agreement in each of the Nottinghamshire districts. The Block contracts will start from the beginning of the new school academic year commencing from September 2025 or as soon as possible from the start of the new school academic year if new buildings are to be put in place or existing buildings to be expanded upon or refurbished. Please note that all provision must be in place and the service to start within 24 months of the contract commencement date. A mobilisation plan for the implementation of the new provision must be agreed between the provider and the commissioning team. Bidders must specify which areas they are bidding to operate in. The areas known as districts/boroughs are as follows: Sub Lot Area A Ashfield B Bassetlaw C Broxtowe D Gedling E Mansfield F Newark and Sherwood G Rushcliffe Up to a maximum of two block contracts will be awarded per district. This means that two single providers can be awarded one contract each in a district, a provider cannot hold two block contracts in a district. Dependent on demand for specialist school places only one block contract per area may be awarded. Providers can bid on as many locations as they wish to provide a service in, however no single provider will be awarded a block contract in 4 or more of the districts/boroughs The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. The earliest date “call-off” contracts can commence under Lot 1 is the 1st of January 2025. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/: Reference DN719545 Additional information: There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years. The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

Value

Amount
115,500,000
Currency
GBP

Options

Description
There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Delivery
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Name
Resilient Workforce
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 3
Name
Service Improvement
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 4
Name
Physical and Sensory Environment
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 5
Name
Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 6
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 7
Name
Implementation
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 8
Name
Changes in Provision
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 9
Name
Contact Hours
Type
cost
Description
50
Criterion 10
Name
Direct Staff Ratio
Type
cost
Description
50

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,800
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Lot 2 Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
cancelled
Has Options
Yes
Description
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' ran an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education. This lot will see the addition of further approved INMSS to the INMSS provider list for placements. This provider list became effective from the 1st of January 2025 from which placements can be commissioned. Bidders that are successful in demonstrating that they are able to meet the Council’ standards, as set out in the service specification, will be added to the Approved INMSS Provider List and will be subsequently invited to offer places that match the needs of the children and young people. The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months. The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/: Reference DN756213 Additional information: There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years. The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP

Options

Description
There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Delivery
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Name
Resilient Workforce
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 3
Name
Service Improvement
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 4
Name
Physical and Sensory Environment
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 5
Name
Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 6
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 7
Type
price
Description
0

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,800

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKF15
Entry 2
Region
UKF16
Entry 3
Region
UKF15
Entry 4
Region
UKF16

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKF15
Entry 2
Region
UKF16
Entry 3
Region
UKF15
Entry 4
Region
UKF16
Entry 5
Region
UKF15
Entry 6
Region
UKF16
Entry 7
Region
UKF15
Entry 8
Region
UKF16
Entry 9
Region
UKF15
Entry 10
Region
UKF16

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-8989
Name
Nottinghamshire County Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Nottinghamshire
Postal Code
NG2 7QP
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall, Loughborough Road Westbridgford

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Nottinghamshire County Council

Contact

Name
Mrs Katie Greenhalgh
Telephone
+44 1159774761
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-2925
Name
The Royal Courts of Justice

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
London
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
The Strand

Details

Identifier

Legal Name
The Royal Courts of Justice
Organisation 3
Id
GB-FTS-136345
Name
A Place to Call Our Own (APTCOO)

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Budby, Nottinghamshire
Postal Code
NG22 9EX
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
North Farm House, Worksop Road

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
A Place to Call Our Own (APTCOO)
Organisation 4
Id
GB-FTS-136346
Name
Hardwick House School Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF21
Locality
Loughborough
Postal Code
LE11 3HU
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Hardwick House School, 190 Forest Road

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Hardwick House School Ltd
Organisation 5
Id
GB-FTS-136347
Name
Speech and Language UK Services Ltd. t/as Dawn House School

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Mansfield
Postal Code
NG21 0DQ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Helmsley Road, Rainworth

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Speech and Language UK Services Ltd. t/as Dawn House School
Organisation 6
Id
GB-FTS-136348
Name
Kedleston (Wings Education) Limited

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKI3
Locality
Uxbridge
Postal Code
UB8 2FX
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Unit 7, Brook Business Centre

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Kedleston (Wings Education) Limited
Organisation 7
Id
GB-FTS-136349
Name
Silver Linings Education Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF14
Locality
Nottingham
Postal Code
NG8 4FR
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
28 Old Park Close Bilborough

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Silver Linings Education Ltd
Organisation 8
Id
GB-FTS-160388
Name
Autism East Midlands

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKE3
Locality
Creswell
Postal Code
S80 4AJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Unit 31, Crags Industrial Estate, Morven Street

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Autism East Midlands
Organisation 9
Id
GB-FTS-160389
Name
Esland North Limited

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF13
Locality
Belper
Postal Code
DE56 0RN
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Milford

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Esland North Limited
Organisation 10
Id
GB-FTS-160390
Name
Witherslack Group Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKD
Locality
Cumbria
Postal Code
LA6 2PR
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Lupton

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Witherslack Group Ltd
Organisation 11
Id
GB-FTS-160391
Name
Woodside Group

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF
Locality
Leicestershire
Postal Code
LE12 7AT
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Mountsorrel

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Woodside Group

Award information

Award 1
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-1
Title
Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Round 2
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
unsuccessful

Related lots

1
Award 2
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-2
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-136345
Name
A Place to Call Our Own (APTCOO)

Related lots

2
Award 3
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-3
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-136346
Name
Hardwick House School Ltd

Related lots

2
Award 4
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-4
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-136347
Name
Speech and Language UK Services Ltd. t/as Dawn House School

Related lots

2
Award 5
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-5
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-136348
Name
Kedleston (Wings Education) Limited

Related lots

2
Award 6
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-6
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-136349
Name
Silver Linings Education Ltd

Related lots

2
Award 7
Id
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Title
Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Round 3
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-160388
Name
Autism East Midlands
Supplier 2
Id
GB-FTS-160389
Name
Esland North Limited
Supplier 3
Id
GB-FTS-160390
Name
Witherslack Group Ltd
Supplier 4
Id
GB-FTS-160391
Name
Woodside Group

Related lots

2

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-2
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-2
Date Signed
8 Oct 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 2
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-3
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-3
Date Signed
8 Oct 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 3
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-4
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-4
Date Signed
8 Oct 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 4
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-5
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-5
Date Signed
8 Oct 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 5
Id
002657-2025-DN719545-6
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
002657-2025-DN719545-6
Date Signed
8 Oct 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 6
Id
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Title
Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Round 3
Status
active
Award ID
055396-2025-DN756213-1
Date Signed
30 Jun 2025, 00:00

Value

Amount
250,000,000
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Nottinghamshire · UKF15 · NG2 7QP · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKF15
  • Delivery location · UKF16

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-0468ed-2025-09-10T13:33:02+01:00compiled ·