Avening pupils tuck in to school lunches (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Avening pupils tuck in to school lunches

11:27am Tuesday 24th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

MANY schools in Gloucestershire are falling below the national average for the uptake of school meals.

Figures released by the County to co-incide with this week's National School Meals Week reveal that just 28.percent of pupils are opting in for school lunches.

This compares with a national average of around 39 percent. Cllr Jackie Hall, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: "Providing tasty school meals that are well balanced and packed with goodness is crucial. I hope the new winter menu launched last week appeals to pupils and that the take-up of school meals will increase."

One local school has developed a recipe for success and is managing to buck both national and county trends.

Avening Primary School has an uptake of more than 50 percent for its school lunches, provided by caterer of choice for Gloucestershire, Edwards and Ward.

Headteacher Diana Boulton said: "On the whole our children seem to love school dinners with most weeks of the year seeing between 50 and 60 percent of our 110 pupils having a school meal provided."

She continued: "A combination of a high quality, varied menu and an excellent cook and lunchtime staff means our children have a nutritious meal in an enjoyable atmosphere."

National School Meals Week is now in its 17th year and is organised by the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) with the support of the School Food Trust.

On Friday primary school pupils will have the chance to make thank you cards for their school caterers.

Kirsty Pritchard, Senior Team Lead for the Children's Health and Wellbeing Team at Gloucestershire County Council said: "The idea is that the children can write in their thank you cards about their favourite dish. The cards can then go up on the dining room wall."

* Templates for thankyou cards are available to download on the website www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)