New look kitchen is proving a hit

The school knocked down its current catering facilities in the summer, which have been there since Priory opened in 1953, and installed a new state-of-the-art canteen.

We received a £320,000 grant from the Education & Skills Funding Agency, taken from the new funding pot which comes from the Government’s sugar tax initiative and focuses on healthy eating and sport.

“It’s brilliant,” said Catering Manager, Mrs Titterington. “I have worked here 21 years and been Catering Manager for the last year and these are the best facilities we have had here. We have new ovens, new grills, everything is new, including new uniforms for the catering team which we all like.

“The focus here is on healthy eating, there is fruit and veg every day, healthy snacks, potato wedges are oven-baked rather than fried and we have occasional themed menus such as Italian, Mexican and American days. It’s made a big difference.”

Business Manager, Mrs Barker, said she had received positive feedback from everyone.  “We have 80 extra students this year and that was one of the reasons we decided to prioritise the kitchens, to cope with the demand. The service is a lot faster and it improves behaviour as well, as the students aren’t waiting in a queue long enough to become restless.

“It’s all positive. We want to encourage our students to be well-nourished which helps them to concentrate more and boosts their education so it all works,” continued Mrs Barker.

The school has invested in two vending machines by the Learning Centre and the next stage of the kitchen development is to redecorate the dining room which should be done this school year.