Whitehaven school is national food leader

A Whitehaven school is literally leading the nation when it comes to food.

St James’ Church of England Junior School is one of five in the north west named a national leader on food quality and food education.

The Food for Life Partnership, a challenge set up by chef Jamie Oliver, has been funded by the National Lottery to help transform food in schools nationally.

And now the junior school on Wellington Row will be sharing its tricks with other schools in the region.

Five schools are selected each year, over three years, to pass on their tips to others.

Andrea Bragg, the school’s catering manager, said: “We are delighted that our application to work towards becoming a Flagship School with the Food for Life Partnership has been successful. To be selected as one of only 15 schools in the north west region is a huge achievement and proves our commitment towards providing good, healthy school meals.

“The catering team are really looking forward to taking part in the programme.”

The school will get help providing at least 75 per cent fresh, 50 per cent locally sourced and 30 per cent organic ingredients in its school meals.

For one week it will host the Food for Life Partnership Cooking Bus, which will welcome staff, parents and community groups on board as well as pupils to learn cooking skills. Pupils at the school will also cook and grow their own food with help from a local farm.

Headteacher Catherine Winzor, said: “We are all thrilled at this exciting opportunity and have lots of plans for the next few months.

“We will be inviting parents in for a meal weekly, developing the school’s grounds for growing and visiting a local farm.

“Longer-term plans include looking at the feasibility of a school allotment and there has event been a suggestion that we keep chickens.”

Nationally there will be 150 flagship schools.