As you know, school dinners have, in the past, been a bone of contention between parents and the school, and we accept, as a Governing Board, things needed changing.
Towards the end of March 2018, Simon Taylor (Foundation Governor), set-up up a small working group of interested parents, one parent from each school year, to look into the subject of school dinners, and to come up with a detailed report on how to take matters forward. This is the “Dinner Focus Group”
The group are as follows:-
• JAZMIN STARR – RECEPTION
• CLAIRE HOURIHANE REYNOLDS – PRE SCHOOL & YEAR 1
• LISA BASSO – RECEPTION
• SAM NIVERN – YEAR 1
• SU SAMUELS – YEAR 2 & YEAR 6
• LISA WATCH – YEAR 3
• LEONA VAILE – YEAR 4
• DAVINA FAIRCLOUGH – YEAR 5
Following some really hard work, the Dinner Focus Group, with Simon, produced a report, which formed the basis of a discussion involving ourselves and Bury Local Education Authority, in which we made a demand that the previous cook be replaced, and that things be rectified in accordance with a plan we had circulated to the LEA.
We are delighted to report that things have really improved since then, with a temporary cook, Maria, in place. A new menu has been put forward, for the next few weeks, which is itself being amended after input by the Parent Focus Group. We are intent on ensuring that the positive feedback we are getting from our parents and children will continue. Some of the comments that are coming back are really heart-warming, and our hope is that school dinners will continue to be a real a source of pleasure for our children.
Further meetings have taken place with the LEA, and a permanent cook is being recruited. Once the cook has been recruited, which will be for the new September term, the menu for the term will be agreed with the new cook, with the assistance and input of the Parent Focus Group.
We are looking for food that is nutritious, appetising, filling and of course a pleasure to consume.
In addition, we have an Allergy Policy for the school and therefore any of our children that have allergy issues, will be able to safely engage in lunches, at the school, without fear of health repercussions. This aspect is being coordinated by Jazmin Starr, a parent in our Focus Group.
We will continue to share developments with you in this respect, particularly when a new cook is appointed.
In addition, we also given an absolute guarantee that the parent lunches will continue, going forward