Schools' food successes

Catering bosses in Staffordshire are delighted after several school kitchens and dining areas were recognised for their pioneering design in a new government publication.

Four school catering facilities, designed and built by Staffordshire Catering Service, have been highlighted as shining examples to others in the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) booklet. Entitled "Schools for the Future: Inspirational Design for Kitchen and Dining Space", it offers guidance on the design of school kitchens.

It also gives advice on dining areas, illustrating its points with high quality school kitchen case studies.

Schools which had their catering facilities held up as excellent designs were Redbrook Hayes Community Primary School in Brereton, Rugeley, Thomas Alleyne's High School in Uttoxeter, St Giles' and St George's Church of England Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Leek High Specialist Technology School.

Staffordshire Catering Service, part of the county council, coordinates and delivers the majority of school meals for pupils in Staffordshire.

Councillor Robert Simpson, deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Every day more than 2,000 skilled staff prepare around 30,000 school meals for pupils.

"If we are to provide balanced meals cooked from fresh ingredients, it is essential that we have well-designed, high-quality kitchens and comfortable, welcoming dining areas.

"The county council has invested £3 million in new catering facilities in Staffordshire schools and we are delighted that our investment has been recognised at a national level in this report."