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Schools Catering Services: Supporting Healthy, Affordable Choices

Our Catering Service is dedicated to helping schools deliver nutritious, balanced meals while meeting evolving standards and supporting the wider well-being of pupils. By working closely with schools and parents, the service ensures food provision is not only compliant with regulations but also responsive to the needs and preferences of children and their families.

Recent updates to the Schools Food Standards have brought a renewed focus on creating balanced meal options that are both healthy and appealing. Recognising that pupil feedback often influences parental concerns, the Catering Service has introduced an innovative solution: inviting parents with concerns to purchase and experience a school meal themselves. This initiative has been highly effective in breaking down misconceptions and fostering greater understanding between schools, parents, and pupils, ensuring a more collaborative approach to supporting healthy eating habits.

The service is also working with schools to take a holistic view of food provision. Through the Healthy Zones initiative, piloted in Wandsworth across three schools, the Catering Service is supporting a comprehensive approach to food across the school day—from breakfast clubs and lunch to snacks and skills training. This includes helping schools integrate healthy eating into the curriculum and wider school culture, empowering children and parents to make informed choices about their nutrition.

Delivered through a service level agreement, the Catering Service combines expertise, in-depth local knowledge, and a commitment to excellence. With dedicated, qualified advisers and a deep understanding of individual school contexts, the service continues to ensure food standards that not only meet regulations but also support the best outcomes for pupils.

Doing Difference Differently

Read our latest report on empowering schools to deliver equitable education for all.

 

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Wandsworth Schools Need You: Governors Share Their Experiences

Wandsworth Schools need governors! And Wandsworth Governor Services is rethinking its approach to recruitment in support of our schools. To gain insights into what motivates people to become governors and what the role entails, we asked two highly regarded governors a series of questions. A video featuring the interviews with Andrea McDermott and Mark Holliday will be available soon. 

Mark is the chair of governors at a primary school in Wandsworth. He became a governor because he wanted to have a connection with his local school and make a difference to the lives of children in his community. He also had some previous experience of being a co-opted governor.

When Mark first started as a governor, he felt overwhelmed by the amount of preparation and reading he needed to do. However, he found the support from Wandsworth Governor Services invaluable. He also enjoyed networking and learning from other governors.

Now, as chair of governors, Mark is able to set the tone of the governing board. He has led a restructure of the committees to reduce the bureaucratic side and focus more on the children and their families.

Mark says that the highlights of his experience as a governor have been visiting the school to meet staff, pupils, and parents, as well as attending events and celebrations. He also feels a great sense of pride and privilege in being able to make a difference to the lives of children and their families.

Here are some of the benefits and rewards of becoming a school governor:

  • Making a positive difference to the lives of children and their families
  • Feeling proud and privileged to be part of the local community.
  • Gaining valuable skills and experience, such as leadership, decision-making, and teamwork
  • Networking with other governors and professionals in the education sector
  • Attending school events and celebrations
  • Seeing children learn and grow.

If you are interested in becoming a school governor, Wandsworth Governor Services can help. They offer a variety of support and training to support governors in their roles. Visit the Wandsworth Governor Services website to learn more about becoming a Governor. If you need any support with governor recruitment,  please book a Head-to-Head meeting to discuss how we can help.

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Head to Head

If we have piqued your interest in Smart School Services, why not meet with our head team to see how we can work together. To arrange your Head to Head, or for any other enquiry, simply fill in the contact form and we’ll be in touch shortly.