Healthy Eating

Encouraging healthy eating in our children

At Tockington Manor School we are committed to ensuring our children grow up understanding how to make good choices in their food. This starts from as young as children in our Nursery.  

Field-to-fork

Our passion for healthy eating and ensuring our pupils understand the importance of healthy eating and where food comes from is extended into the classroom and beyond. Children in our Nursery learn about the field-to-fork process by growing fresh vegetables in their own kitchen garden.

Table Manners

We consider that it is not only the food you eat that is important but the environment in which you eat it. All children from Nursery upwards sit in our dining hall, learning table manners and exploring new tastes from a young age. For the smaller children, it is also a lovely opportunity to practise the social and dexterous skills associated with dining from a young age.

Healthy eating in the Nursery

Your little ones are well fed and watered throughout the day in the Nursery to ensure they have plenty of energy for fun activities and learning. During the mid-morning break they enjoy a healthy snack with milk or water. And at midday when it’s time for lunch, a delicious and nutritious choice of freshly made hot or cold meals is provided in the main school dining hall. Children who spend all day with us, or arrive for an afternoon session, also enjoy a light tea consisting of a savoury snack, fruit and a drink to keep energy levels up. 

Our Catering Team

Our catering is produced by Thomas Franks, an independent family-owned business that provides ethically-sourced catering across the UK.  Their team prepare and cook on-site in our school kitchen, using at least 90% fresh ingredients for every meal. We work closely with the team to develop seasonal menus which support educational needs and meet any specific nutritional requirements of our pupils (allergies etc).

Breakfast

• Cereals – available daily with a mix of wheat, bran and some treats. Cereals will be located alongside fruits to encourage pupils to mix and match and to try new things.
• Porridge Station – great for slow-release energy, porridge will be offered with a variety of healthy toppings
• Hot Breakfast – baked beans will be available daily as a hot offering. Once a week children enjoy a cooked breakfast including either bacon or sausages, eggs, and baked beans. This provides weekly variety and interest in the total offering, whilst ensuring products are seasonal, healthy and nutritious.
• Toast – children can help themselves to an unlimited amount of hot toast and quality preserves for a lighter breakfast
• Pastries – nutrition remains our priority but sweet pastries and pancakes for breakfast are provided as an occasional treat.

Lunch and Supper service

• Main Course – Healthy main courses will include a vegetarian option. Quality seasonal fresh food will be used throughout the menu with plenty of variety
• Salad Bar – Abundant and colourful salad bars.  
• Soup – Soup will be homemade with seasonal ingredients and speciality homemade breads. Seeds, croutons and fresh herbs will be available so that pupils can enjoy personalising the soup to their own taste. Soup will be served in enamel mugs which are easier for smaller hands to hold and carry to their table.
• Jacket Station – Jacket potatoes will be available with a variety of fillings including all the traditional favourites or an appropriate main meal protein.
• Supper will have a more ‘homely’ feel.