School dinners survey in Richmond Borough

[Eleusis]

Right, DD is in the nursery at a state school in Twickenham. We got a survey home asking about changing cooked school dinners to sandwiches and if we as parents would be happy with that change and aslo asked how much we would be willing topay per week for school dinners (three choices, the highest was £12.50).

But, no where did it ask about our standards of quality. How fresh the food should be? What kind of variety should be on offer? What sort of veg/fruit comes on a plate? And so on.

Did anyone else in Richmond borough get this survey or is it just our school? If so, was wondering what you think of it.

[Eleusis]

bump

[foxinsocks]

hi eleusis

I'm not heavily involved with all this at school atm but I do know that the borough schools were signed up to Scolarest (was negotiated by the council).

I know, at dd and ds's school, that they would love to get out of the contract and I'm pretty sure, there was talk about it coming to an end v soon borough wide (but I'm not 100% sure).

We get surveys from the school about the dinners on a fairly regular basis.

Not sure I'd be happy with paying for my child to have sandwiches at school (if this is what you mean). The whole point of a school dinner is that it's a meal - if they are going to provide sandwiches, then you could do it yourself and ensure your dd got exactly what she wanted iyswim.

[Eleusis]

Hiya fox. Yes, the Scolarest contract is ending soon (end if this term?). I heard at the PTA meeting that it was up to the borough to decide what we do nest, but the borough wesite says At the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames the responsibility for school meals is fuilly delegated to the governing body of each school.

So, who is organising what food is coming to the table in the Autumn term? That is the question of the hour.

Apparently there is a very poor uptake of school dinners and so they have decided that since everyone already pasks a lunch, perhaps they should provide sandwiches. I think if too many people are turning down school dinners perhaps they should review the quality of what is on the plate.

[foxinsocks]

yes, I'll let you know if we get a survey - that sort of thing normally comes home on a Friday.

FWIW, our last survey addressed exactly your concerns. Had questions about fresh food, what percentage could/should be frozen, what people thought about organic food or it being cooked on site etc.

One of the main issues with the Scolarest contract was that a lot of the food was frozen and just reheated for the children - so very little fresh and a lot of the meat was processed. I think Scolarest wanted to change that but it would have cost a lot of money.

[Eleusis]

Ohhhhhh.... can I have a copy of your survey? Please please please.

[foxinsocks]

uwila, if you CAT me, I have an electronic copy of the results (you can srmmise the questions from it iyswim) if you like.

[foxinsocks]

actually, I've just looked - it has the questions on it

[CountessDracula]

dd is going to East Sheen Primary, they are allegedly the flagship food school, the PTA raised funds to build a new kitchen last year and everything is prepared freshly and not by Scolarest or whatever they are called. Apparently the food is great (there are some other mnetters with kids there they could tell you more I bet)

When I went on a tour of Barnes Primary they were going to visit east sheen with a view to doing similar

maybe you could get the school to contact them?

[CountessDracula]

I think this is the co that e. sheen use

[foxinsocks]

yes, that's what the plan is to do here as well. I think that can depend on the size of the school. If you have a fairly large school (like ours) it makes economic sense to have a kitchen (because you have the space and you'd be churning out enough meals to make it worthwhile).

[CountessDracula]

here is the school bit

[foxinsocks]

I think, when that Scolarest contact was initially negotiated by the council, East Sheen were not included which is why they are with Pride! The rest of us got turkey twizzlers! But that's coming to an end now.

[foxinsocks]

how amazing to think that mini drac will be all kitted out in uniform and off to school in September!

[Eleusis]

Sorry... got hauled off to a meeting.

Fox- did you say your school is going to use pride catering as well?

Thanks guys, this is some good information. I'm definately working on my "pushy parent" title.

[Eleusis]

Have stared thread looking for East Sheen parents here

[CountessDracula]

I know
god what do i do about uniform i wonder?

[CountessDracula]

i know a couple but don't want to out them as they might not want to be iykwim!

[Eleusis]

CD, I beat you to the uniform topic here .

[singersgirl]

Re uniform, if you phone the office, they will tell you the name of the people who organise uniform sales - done via PTA reps. ESPS was originally in the Scolarest contract, but declined the kitchen fit out offered by Scolarest, so was able to get out sooner than some of the other borough schools. The LEA contract is coming to an end borough-wide, though.

At East Sheen, uptake of school meals has gone from something like 40 children (out of 400+ school) to 280+. Quality of food has improved dramatically and a lot of the staff eat it as well. Parents have been invited to tastings and it is very good.

Must go now as DH is pestering me to organise our office (not a strong point for either of us)....but do ask if any more questions.

[foxinsocks]

not sure if they have looked at Pride. I'll find out - we get a newsletter today so there might be something in it. At the moment, they are actively fundraising to get money to build a kitchen on site (they don't have one, despite being a 3 class entry school) so I guess, everything depends on whether they can get the funds to do this.

CD, Wrt uniform - your school will probably send you a list of what they are expected to wear. Normally, you get the dresses, pinafores and skirts from somewhere like M&S (or wherever) and the school sweatshirts (with a logo on) and polo shirts from the school (normally, there'll send you a form to fill in).

I would get the summer dresses now (normally a checked colour - usually blue or red) because come September time, most children will start back in summer dresses yet the shops will have stopped selling them.

[Eleusis]

Okay, I have discovered the East Sheen does their own thing. Every other school in the borough has asked the borough to sort out a new contract for them.

Fox, can you find out what your school is doing? I hear there are three companies who have submitted bids. But, don't know who they are... yet.

[Eleusis]

They are consdering 3 tenders for hot food and sandwiches.... Sandwiches? It is a 4 year contract with an option to extend for 2.

[foxcub]

Ele - I don't receive surveys as the DCs have packed lunches.

Do you want me to ask the other Mums next week if they have received the survey? (You may have to remind me)

[milkchocolateStarryStarryNight]

Hi,
Do any of your kids go to East Sheen now, and are you sure they opted out of Scolarest? Last PTA meeting I went to it was discussed how Sheen Mount had opted out and rebuilt their kitchens doing the catering themselves. Just wondering if I am confusing the names. I shall ask my neighbour as her son is at East Sheen, and he has school dinners. My son has packet lunches, but I will ask today what he got, as due to car accident this morning he did not get his lunchbox with him.

[milkchocolateStarryStarryNight]

Or maybe more and more are opting out?