Balby Carr goes far in April 2007

healthy eating award

Staff and pupils at a Doncaster school are celebrating after winning the award for the Best Whole School Approach to Healthy Eating in McDougalls Healthiest School Food Award 2007. Balby Carr Community Sports College not only scooped the prestigious title but also £500 to invest in further healthy eating initiatives.

Balby Carr was one of three schools that made it to the final having beat competition from primary and secondary schools across the nation. The 1350 pupil school only narrowly missed scooping the overall McDougalls Healthiest School Food Award and the grand prize of £1500, which went to The Heys Primary School in Tameside, Lancashire.

On winning the award, Deputy Head David Marfleet said: “It’s wonderful to have won the award for the best whole school approach to healthy eating and we are extremely proud of everyone. We are lucky to be part of a school that all works together and I believe that’s why we won.” Catering Manager Lynne Long added: “We’ve worked extremely hard to encourage children to adopt a healthier, more balanced lifestyle and it just goes to prove that any secondary school with a vision can be successful and drive up standards.”

Balby Carr Community Sports College, the only secondary school to reach the final, is considering a number of ways to use the money, including the introduction of a Subway-style deli bar to attract older students as well as improvements to the dining hall and general ambience.

Launched by RHM Foodservice and supported by catering bodies LACA and ASSIST, McDougalls Healthiest School Food Award takes into account not just the nutritional values of the food being served in each school, but also how children are encouraged to make healthy choices, and how well the healthy, balanced lifestyle message is received by pupils.

Burnie Owens, RHM Foodservice’s manufacturing and technical director, and one of the four judges, comments: “The school is extremely driven and passionate about getting the children to make the change to a healthier lifestyle and thoroughly deserve this award. They have recently replaced the one and a half hour lunch break with two 40-minute sessions. By reducing the lunch hour, managing the queues and changing the offering to compete with the high street, the students are eating more healthily and staying on site.”

The judges also praised the school for linking the dining hall and the local community. By frequently inviting fire and police officers in for lunch and creating a family eating environment whereby they can eat and chat, the school has helped children gain respect for these people and professions. In addition, teachers use the theme of healthy eating in all areas of the curriculum, for example in art, design, PHSE and English projects.

To receive further information contact RHM Foodservice Caterer Adviceline on 0800 328 4246 or visit www.rhmfoodservice.co.uk

Notes to editors

- This is the second year McDougalls Healthiest School Food Award has been running. In 2006 it was awarded to Trinity Primary School in Liverpool.

- The judging panel comprised two representatives from RHM Foodservice –Burnie Owens, manufacturing and technical director, and nutritionist Vanessa McConkey – LACA National Council member Liz Dobson, ASSIST vice chair Ken Campbell and guest judge celebrity chef Paul Merrett.

- The competition included four rounds – a written questionnaire, a nutritional analysis of a week’s menu cycle, a telephone interview with the head teacher and, finally, a site visit.

- Cuiken Primary in Midlothian won the award for the Healthiest Menu, while The Heys Primary in Lancashire was awarded Best Marketing Initiative and the overall McDougalls Healthiest School Food Award 2007.

For press information contact Jacqui Goldsmith at The Hub on 01959 564449 or e-mail on Jacqui@thehubonline.co.uk.