Slough appoints Cambridge Education to run early years services

This complements Mott MacDonald's role working in partnership with consultancy Hempsalls to support delivery of free places for disadvantaged two-year-olds nationwide.

Cambridge Education won the contract for Slough in June this year and started to deliver services in September. The contract saw the transfer of 154 staff from the council to the company.

James Hempsall, director of Hempsall’s, who is closely involved in the DfE Achieving Two Year Olds contract said,  ‘We’ve been working with our colleagues at Cambridge Education to develop this successful bid, and we are delighted to be joining them in supporting our new colleagues in Slough to continue to develop their early years and children’s centre offer for now and the future.’ 

The awarding of the contract followed a detailed procurement process which included formal tenders and evaluation by heads of affected services, head teacher representatives from primary, secondary and special schools and finance and HR experts.

The services transferring include the council’s early years’ service and all children’s centres, as well as school admissions, special educational needs, educational psychology, school transport and catering.

Stephen Cavanagh, managing director of Cambridge Education’s UK business said, ‘We’re looking forward to working with Slough Borough Council to deliver high quality services to schools, academies and early years settings.

‘Every community is unique and we look forward to meeting the specific needs of young people in Slough, equipping them with the academic and life skills to succeed.’