We continue to work with Sandwell schools to build and support their music offer. It is our goal
to encourage every school in Sandwell to work with us, so that there is an equity of opportunity
for children to learn a musical instrument during their time at school.

We are delighted to share that SIPS Education has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Catering category of the APSE Soft Facilities Management Innovation Awards 2026.

This national recognition follows a rigorous judging process and highlights the exceptional standards, innovation, and impact of our Catering Service—trusted by schools across the Black Country and wider region.


Celebrating Excellence in School Catering

Being selected as a finalist from such a competitive field of UK organisations is a tremendous achievement. It reflects:

  • Our commitment to providing fresh, nutritious meals that help children thrive
  • Innovative and efficient catering practices that support schools operationally and financially
  • The expertise and passion of our skilled catering colleagues
  • Our cooperative, not‑for‑profit approach

We are incredibly proud of our team, whose dedication to high‑quality, child‑centred services made this recognition possible.


Awards Ceremony – February 2026

The winners will be announced at the awards presentation evening:

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton, Stratford‑upon‑Avon
đź“… Thursday 5 February 2026

The ceremony forms part of APSE’s two‑day Facilities, Catering and Cleaning Management Seminar, a leading national event for public sector service innovation.


Looking Ahead

APSE intends to publish details of winning submissions following the event to help share best practice across the sector. Whatever the outcome, being named a finalist is a powerful endorsement of the quality, innovation, and impact delivered by our Catering Service.


Thank You to Our Schools and Partners

As a schools‑owned cooperative, our purpose is simple: to support the best possible outcomes for children.
We are grateful to our member schools and partners for their trust and collaboration, which help our teams to continually innovate and grow.

We look forward to celebrating with colleagues in February—watch this space for further updates!

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