Public Sector Network Tender Alert

 

MANAGING A NETWORK OF REGIONAL SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRES

1. The Standards Division at the Department for Education is looking for a contractor to manage a network of regional science learning centres to provide high quality science continuing professional development (CPD) to primary and secondary teachers and technicians in state-funded schools across England and to administer bursaries (Impact Awards) which allow schools to claim back costs. 2. The focus of CPD delivery will be on equipping teachers and technicians to deliver a more rigorous science curriculum, as set out in the emerging new national curriculum, and supporting them to implement it. We are looking for very high standards to be maintained and for the successful bidder to be able to demonstrate an impact not only on increasing teachers’ confidence and ability but also on the performance of their pupils at all levels. 3. The successful bidder will be expected: • to decide the most appropriate delivery model to enable teachers and technicians across the country to access non-residential CPD; • to work with local universities to ensure that subject specific CPD is academically rigorous and with teaching schools to help with local delivery; • to deliver a range of face-to-face and e-learning CPD that can be accessed during and after the school day, at weekends and in school holidays; • to work closely with Myscience.co Limited which runs the National Science Learning Centre at York, to ensure that regionally delivered courses complement residential courses offered by the National Science Learning Centre. This is to ensure that teachers and technicians are able to access coherent information and provision. 4. The contract will run from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015 and there may be an option to extend the contract up to three further years. 5. Proposals received from consortia of organisations will be welcome alongside those from organisations bidding on an individual basis. 6. Please note that we are planning to publish questions and answers that are raised by any bidders on a general Frequently Asked Questions page on the department’s website, so that it can be accessed by all potential bidders. This can be found at http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/policiesandprocedures/procurement/b0037/current-contracts/regional-science-learning-centres and we will update it up to 7 December.

Ref: 1029,

Contact:

Department for Education
Second Floor, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Mark Stockdale
020 7340 8283
mark.stockdale@education.gsi.gov.uk

Contract value: 7000000.00 - 8250000.00GBP

Published: 5 Nov 2012, Receipt by: 10 Dec 2012