Tinsley Junior School’s kitchen last cooked a fresh meal on the premises in July 1994 and began receiving a transported daily meal from the neighboring school from the Autumn term of that year. The footprint of the kitchen didn’t alter over the years and with the exception of a new serving hatch 5 years ago, no other improvements were possible.
During 2006, it became clear that there needed to be some action to assist the school in providing a better meal including halal meat to an ever growing number of diners. Pressure on the exporting kitchen was considerable and the school really wanted to improve the whole experience of eating but with a focus on healthier options. An added ambition was to have a community facility that would bring parents into school and influence the eating choices of the whole family.
The School Food Service worked with the school and the Children & Young People’s Capacity, Planning and Development Service to set out the work needed to turn a dormant space into a busy cooking kitchen. After 2 years of planning, major works staged over all the available holiday periods and flexibility by all concerned, a brand new kitchen was born! The final stages of the work were led by local building contractor, Burngreave Building Company and finished ahead of schedule in September 2009.
The school celebrated with an International Day party joined by School Governors, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning and members of the local community.
JG, Head teacher of Tinsley Junior School said: “It’s great that children can now tell the cook their personal preferences. Tasting all the different dishes was a real treat and I hope that the prospect of freshly prepared food will encourage more pupils to opt for healthy school meals. Already the new menu has put more bums on seats in the dining room, and when we begin our cookery club next year, with parents and children learning to cook together, I’m sure our meals will be even more popular.”
The key factors in this achievement were:
- Partnership working – the school, Children & Young People’s School Food and Capacity, Planning and Development Services, Design & Property Management Service
- Commitment by all parties to make it work including building and specialist catering companies.
- A harmonious on-site building and construction relationship made up of various specialist companies