Catering enables school to practise what it teaches
Case Study: Mascalls School
Region: South East
Organisation: Mascalls School, Kent
Description
The shift to healthier eating at Mascalls School began gradually, in 2002. According to Head Teacher, Vanessa Everett, ‘We made the decision to work with our food service provider, Cater Link Ltd, to introduce changes, with all food to be prepared on site and an emphasis on fresh rather than frozen ingredients. When pupils discovered that chips were only on the menu once a fortnight there was some initial resistance. However, from quite subtle changes early on we have broadened out the menu repertoire to what has become quite an adventurous offering. Resistance has turned around and sheer curiosity has prompted pupils to try items from a wide range of options which you wouldn’t normally associate with ‘school dinners’ – from stuffed mushrooms and stir fries to carrot roulade. The sandwich and wrap fillings on offer are as adventurous as you might find in a high street deli and include ingredients such as prawns and salmon.
Benefits
- The school canteen enables Mascalls to ‘practise what its teaches’, reflecting positive messages about diet and health being delivered via the science and PSE curriculum.
- Eating has become more of a social event in school.
- Pupils have responded positively to more sophisticated menu choices.
- The relationship between pupils and catering staff has improved and parents are showing their support for a regime in which pupils have to eat healthily if they are going to eat at all.
- Caterlink, where possible, use local suppliers and estimate that 25% of fruit and veg is grown in Kent and 30% of meat is produced in the Home Counties. All eggs are produced locally in Kent. This information is verifiable through 6 monthly audits of their suppliers.
Lessons learned during implementation
- Free samples offered by the cooks can win round less adventurous eaters.
- A cashless payment system helps to combat the problem of lunch money being spent on the way to school.
- Breaktime is an opportunity to provide healthier snacks, such as homemade flapjacks.
- Fizzy drinks are no longer on offer – but bottled water is now a big seller.
Further information
Mascalls School, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6LT
Website: www.mascalls.kent.sch.uk
Cater Link Ltd
Website: www.caterlinkltd.co.uk
Page published: 9 May 2007