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The Wells Academy

Catering

At The Wells Academy we provide a high quality catering service to pupils and staff, offering a balanced and healthy choice of food.

For many pupils, lunch is the principal meal of their day.  Meal times should be relaxed and fun whilst also providing all the ingredients necessary to assist with pupils' concentration and learning.

At the Academy, we prefer to manage the catering provision ourselves; this gives us more control and choice over the food we offer.  We operate a rolling six week menu, to ensure a wide variety, the weekly menus are available at the bottom of this page. 

Breakfast

The Academy operates a breakfast club that provides a nutritious meal for pupils before the beginning of the school day. The breakfast menu includes toast (choice of wholemeal or white bread), yoghurts, fresh fruit and no added sugar fruit juices. Lower fat versions of milk and milk products are offered. When meat (e.g. bacon) is served, lower fat cooking methods are used. Spreading fats are used sparingly and breakfast cereals high in sugar are not provided.

Break Time

At break time our pupils are offered a range of healthy snacks and sandwiches, containing fresh fillings prepared by the Academy Catering team.  A selection of fresh fruit is also available every day.  Drinks on offer include still water, low fat flavoured milks and no added sugar fruit juices.

National nutritional standards for school lunches

Food prepared by the Academy Catering Team meets the national standards for school lunches (www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk) and our SNAG (School Nutrition Action Group) is involved in suggesting changes in the menu.

Drinking Water

The Academy provides a free supply of drinking water in the dining room at breakfast, break and lunch times.

Food and drink brought into the Academy

The Academy discourages the consumption of snacks that are both high in fat and sugar at break time. We offer a variety of snacks to our pupils, for example yoghurts, fresh fruit, pasta salads, toasted teacakes, English muffins, toast and crumpets.

We encourage parents and carers to provide their children with packed lunches that adhere to national standards. This is achieved by promoting healthy packed lunch options using the principles of the Balance of Good Health.

Special Dietary Requirements

The Academy provides food in accordance with pupils' religious beliefs and cultural practices. We offer a vegetarian option for lunch every day. When necessary the Academy will also offer a vegan option.

Individual care plans are created for pupils with food allergies. These document symptoms and adverse reactions, actions to be taken in an emergency, and emergency contact details.  The Academy caterers are made aware of any food allergies or food intolerance and requests for special diets are submitted through an agreed process.

Food Safety

Appropriate food safety precautions are taken when food is prepared and stored. These vary depending on the food on offer and include:

  • Ensuring adequate storage and washing facilities are available making sure that refrigerators are used when necessary
  • Ensuring that food handlers undergo appropriate food hygiene training
  • Ensuring suitable equipment and protective clothing are available
  • Any food hazards are identified and controlled. We consult our local Environmental Health Department about legal requirements where necessary.