Best in Class
A scheme designed to recognise best practice across the whole school catering provision.

Warden Park School

Cuckfield
West Sussex
RH17 5DP
Tel: 01444 417024
Email: admin@wardenpark.co.uk
www.wardenpark.co.uk

1500 pupils aged 11-16 years.

Catering service prior to changes

The school felt that only the direct management of their catering service would allow them to:

  • Provide healthy and attractive meals.
  • Reduce the use of food additives and preservatives.
  • Involve students and staff in menu planning.
  • Use fresh produce, purchased locally.

The school now runs an in-house catering system called Parkes.

Students were consulted about the changes to the catering system, and they helped to decide the overall strategy and menus.

A Food Committee has been set up and members include students, staff and parents, this has allowed the students to be involved in the day to day management of Parkes (the in-house caterers).

Planning began in March 2003 and changes commenced in the September.

Improvements to the catering service

  • Commercial vending machines have been discontinued and no confectionary or high-sugar drinks are sold.
  • A breakfast service is available.
  • Free access to fresh water at various sites around the school.
  • Chips are only served once a week.
  • A wide range of healthy sandwiches and a salad bar are now on offer.
  • There are at least two special offers on healthy food choices each week, via posters in classrooms and the dining hall, e.g. a free piece of fruit with every pizza slice, and half price fruit salad with every main meal.
  • The school now operates a cashless system and any profits made from the Warden Park Student Cards goes to improving student facilities. The cards offer discounts for a local taxi firm, who offer “pay later rides” if children have no money on them, so children can be taken home safely. Discounts are also given in various shops.
  • Theme food days.
  • New furniture has been installed in the dining hall and further improvements are planned.
Sample menu:
Monday Breaded chicken goujons, salsa dip or spring rolls with a sweet and sour sauce. Steamed syrup sponge and custard. All meals are served with vegetables of the day.

Salad bar and fresh fruit are available daily.
Tuesday Lasagne or vegetable risotto. Rhubarb crumble and custard.
Wednesday Chicken a la King or vegetarian fajitas. Apple slice and custard.
Thursday Beef curry and rice or jacket potatoes with roasted vegetables. Sultana sponge slice.
Friday Fish and chips or roasted vegetables with pitta bread. Apple pie.
Measuring success
  • There has been a substantial increase in the uptake of school meals, especially by new students.
  • Sales of salads and fruit are up.
  • The withdrawal of chips from 4 days of the week to one day has not had a substantial effect on takings.
  • Little waste from the salad bar or fruit counter.
  • Theme days have been very popular.
  • The PTA and Governors are very supportive of the initiative.
The aim of Parkes (the caterers):

To provide healthy and attractive meals.

To reduce the use of food additives and preservatives.

To involve both pupils and staff in menu planning.

To use fresh produce, bought locally.

To introduce a breakfast service.

To give access to free drinking water.

Salad bar

£1.20 for a plate full of the following:

Tomato slices

Cucumber slices

Coleslaw

Potato salad

Apples and grapes

Beetroot

Shredded carrot

Mixed bean and sweetcorn

Low fat dressing

Fresh fruit
Where next?
  • Extend student involvement in the Food Committee, who has recently taken part in a menu design competition.
  • Strengthen links between the curriculum and the catering service.
  • Create more space in the dining hall through the installation of a mezzanine floor.
  • Improve the reliability and convenience of the cash card systems. At present, parents have to send cheques in advance.
  • Warden Park has just started to cater for staff INSET days within and beyond the school and hope to extend this service further.
  • The school is due to undertake a major survey of student perceptions as a basis for further improvements.

Parkes breakfast service is available between 8:00 & 8:30 am every morning.

Individual cereal packets 25p

Bacon rolls 80p

Toast and butter 20p

Fruit yoghurt 30p

Fruit juice 50p

Milk 25p
Health Education Trust
18 High Street / Broom / Alcester / Warwickshire / B50 4HJ
enquiries @HealthEdTrust.com