The school council at the Flying High Academy, Mansfield, has been trialling new menu options with Nottinghamshire County Council food development manager Donna Baines.

Mrs Baines said the food being tried was chosen by consensus from options discussed at school council meetings

“The students had shown an interest in paninis. We prepared a selection of loaded with the freshest ingredients including ham from locally reared pigs, Freedom Food accredited chicken, freshly made pork meatballs in a fresh tomato sauce, all topped with cheese and freshly sliced tomatoes.”

The group also tested vegetarian options.

Student Madison Pallister (11) said she was enjoying the experience.

“I have tried a tuna panini today, which is quite nice because I have never tried tuna before and I have enjoyed it. We have also had a meatball panini. If we like the food here today, then we hope it will go on the dinner menu.”

Mrs Baines said that allowing children to have a strong input into the school dinner menu was the best way to insure that school dinners are enjoyed by as many students as possible.

She said: “There are many benefits to children being involved in choosing their school menu. Involvement in designing the menu enables pupils to learn about nutritional content and food budgeting, to think about ‘choice’ and why choices are limited in the school context.

“We always develop any menu with input from students; this can have a positive influence on food choices outside school and what is cooked at home.”

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