The School attaches great importance to ensuring that our pupils are provided with nutritionally balanced meals. Balance is achieved through variety; therefore, each mealtime is important for young people as it contributes towards meeting their balance of good health every day. As all pupils have very busy days at school it is vital that they are able to look forward to meals in a relaxing, enjoyable and friendly environment.
Diet plays an increasingly important role in the well being of young people , both in school time and at home. Our diets and lifestyles have changed significantly. We now have a much greater choice of, and consume far more energy dense foods than previously. Increasing numbers of children and young adults are becoming overweight and obese due to this, coupled with the continuing decrease in levels of exercise and activity of young people.
We work closely with Sodexo to ensure that the school provides well-balanced, nutritional meals, every day, which take into account popular traditional dishes, and the wide range of ethnic dishes that pupils enjoy. Menus are regularly reviewed and changed and every day we always provide the following:
- Fresh fruit at every meal
- Fresh vegetables with all main courses
- A varied salad bar
- Fresh yoghurt
Sodexo adopts a healthier approach to cooking methods, including:
- Baking dishes, rather than frying
- Batch cooking so that the maximum nutritional value is retained
- Grilling food on racks
- Adding extra vegetables to dishes e.g. Lasagne
- Freshly prepared pizza using 50/50 white and wholemeal flour
- Encouraging the use of herbs and natural flavourings in place of salt in cooking practices
Sodexo is working actively with its own suppliers in order that the ingredients used are reduced in salt, sugar and fat. Recent examples of this being implemented are:
- Reduced salt and sugar in baked beans
- Healthier monounsaturated cooking oil has replaced standard vegetable oil
- Tuna in brine has been replaced with tuna in spring water
Sodexo will endeavour to provide meals suitable for those with special dietary requirements; however, we cannot be responsible for the risks associated with cross contamination at the lunch service from other children’s meals. Sodexo would work with the school and parents to achieve a suitable allergy policy in these situations.
Whilst we and Sodexo actively promote and encourage healthier balanced meals, our philosophy is that the Upper School pupils should be free to make their own informed choice from the selection available.
Food Committee meetings are held regularly to ensure our menus are well balanced and nutritious and that they reflect the needs of pupils, the School and the Government standards.
Our caterer Sodexo, already meets the food standards which will be in place in September 2007 and is working to meet the nutritional standards well before the 2008 deadline given by the Government.
The catering staff serve our hot main meal choices, but pupils can help themselves to as much or as little of the salad bar items as they require. Pupils may have seconds, once everyone has been through the servery.
David Saunders, our Catering Manager , is more than happy to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have and can be contacted via the main school number which is
0121 625 0398. Parents are welcome to approach teachers or catering staff with any queries or dietary needs. If you would like to view the catering service for yourself, please make an appointment at Reception.
Yours sincerely
H J Phillips
Headmistress
Please click the link below to view the Summer Term menu:
 Summer Term menu |
