Just an update on the situation regarding catering (following on from the information shared at the beginning of term).
We have taken the decision to take the existing catering team in-house – and, therefore, Laura and Carla will employed directly by school. This has been a long and thought-out decision; however, we ultimately feel the decision is one which comes with huge benefits and very few disadvantages.
This move will hopefully enable us…
- …to keep school meals at £2.83 despite the rise in food and staff costs (remaining with our externally managed company would have resulted in meal prices of £3.20);
- …more flexibility and control of menus – including pupil involvement with this;
- …more opportunities for unique meal days/events;
- …to increase the quality of meals;
- …to increase the range of choices each day;
- …to potentially introduce free taster/sample days;
- all alongside a whole host of other benefits.
The official date for the changeover is 1st April; however, the potential positive changes won’t necessarily be introduced all immediately.
In the build-up to this, we would like to involved pupils and parents/carers as much as possible to gain ideas of what sorts of things will be most appreciated (if possible!). Children (via the school council) have already been involved in this – and will continued to be so. We will sent out some surveys for parents/carers between now and then to gauge some feedback from yourselves.
We will also keep you updated between now and then.