Promoting Healthy Eating for Growing Minds in School
Our school’s commitment to fresh, balanced meals reflects the growing national focus on improving school food standards. As the Government introduces tougher guidelines to reduce sugar and ultra-processed foods, we are already serving fresh meals that help pupils stay focused and thrive throughout the school day.
Under the leadership of Chef Dino and his dedicated catering team, our kitchens prepare fresh, balanced meals designed to nourish growing minds while delighting young palates.
Dino commented,
“We create nutritious children’s menus using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers, making healthy food colourful, balanced and enjoyable for young children to explore and eat. Our menus are carefully designed to support children’s growth and wellbeing. Our focus is on encouraging positive eating habits and a love of fresh food.”
Beyond the Dining Hall, we are equally committed to helping children understand what balanced eating means and where their food comes from. Through Cooking and Nutrition lessons and Gardening Club, led by Head of Cooking & Nutrition and IAPS Advisor Kim Rowland, pupils discover the health benefits of different foods and gain practical experience in growing ingredients themselves. Alongside developing an understanding of a balanced diet, these lessons equip children with valuable life skills, including food preparation, meal planning and an appreciation of how balanced diets support overall wellbeing.
Our school also helps pupils understand the importance of healthy eating beyond lunchtime. In Cooking and Nutrition lessons and in Gardening Club, Kim Rowland ensures children learn where food comes from and how it supports their health. The Kitchen Garden is regularly maintained by pupils, and harvested for ingredients in the classroom.
Every pupil from Years 4 to 8 take part in predominantly practical Cooking and Nutrition lessons. Specialist teaching units focus on healthy eating, sustainability, the gut microbiome and international food and culture, helping pupils to develop a broad understanding of nutrition and global cuisines while building essential life skills in the kitchen.
By combining wholesome meals with hands-on gardening and diet education, our school fosters an environment where wellbeing starts on the plate. This holistic approach helps pupils build healthy habits that enhance concentration, fuel learning and lay the foundation for a lifetime of balanced living.
