Chestnuts Primary School, Haringey, London

Awarded Food for Life Flagship Community status - one of six London schools (2008)

Chestnuts opened in September 2004, following the amalgamation of the former infant and junior schools. The headteacher became concerned at the poor quality of food being provided and contacted Eagle Solutions Services (ESSL), having heard of what can be achieved by taking school meals catering in-house. ESSL was asked to assist the school in breaking away from the Direct Service Organisation contract and supported the school during these lengthy negotiations. "Chestnuts was one of the first primary schools in Haringey to move away from DSO which was incredibly brave and ground breaking," remarks headteacher Cal Shaw.

Eagle Solutions Services then worked with Chestnuts to get their own catering service up and running. A catering manager and an assistant were recruited and the kitchen was deep cleaned to bring the cleanliness up to acceptable hygiene standards. The dining environment was improved by introducing table cloths and providing salad, organic bread and water on each table. Immediately, the school noticed a big difference in the quality of the food and the children's behaviour. Now Chestnuts has control, the school is able to spend more on good quality ingredients, and also accommodate special diets. In the annual parent survey, the standard of school meals was graded as good.

"We are almost 40% organic and cook all our meals fresh from seasonal, locally sourced supplies," says Cal Shaw. "I have so much to thank Kemi Atijosan and her team for. You have helped me revolutionise school meals at Chestnuts. The Flagship status is bringing us so much extra help. It is wonderful."

Chestnuts Comment Book shows how the children (and their parents) reacted to the changes.

In April 2007, a year 3 boy wrote: "No vegetables on the pizza" and by November, another comment was "Can we have more topping on the pizza - mushrooms, peppers, olives?" demonstrating a change in the food culture in the school.

In June 2007, a year 6 boy wrote: "Can we have tomato sauce!" and by September, tomato ketchup was introduced.

Other comments include "I love your chicken. I want my mum, to make it at home" (year 4 girl, March 2007); "more rice please, I really like the way it's cooked" (September 2007); "can we have yogurt in the snack box?" (year 5 girl, December 2007); "can we have fruit every day as well as cake with our ice cream?" (year 5 boy, March 2008); "thanks for the jacket potatoes" (year 3 boy, April 2008); "can we have beans back with the sausages?" (June 2008)

Some comments made by parents after coming in for the Christmas dinner in December 2007, "If I had not come and shared a meal with my daughter I would never have believed school meals could be so good" …. "you have done an amazing job" ….. "the food is fantastic"……. "thank you for inviting us to Christmas lunch; it was better than I can cook at home!"