Spa Special School, Southwark, London

A school providing for the special educational needs of students with autism and Asperger's syndrome aged 11-19, the students at Spa School come from a diverse range of backgrounds and 14 different local authorities. Eagle Solutions Services was asked to assist in setting up an in-house catering provision to replace the contract catering service. The school managers and governors were particularly concerned that the school should provide healthier meals to complement the care and support offered to pupils through their educational programmes.

Business Manager Paul Charter says of the school meals they now provide, "We are now able to ensure the pupils receive lots of fresh, good quality food and that they enjoy their meals. Staff also benefit; more are now taking advantage of our own catering service and joining the students at lunchtime.

"Eagle Solutions Services was very supportive of the school as we made the transition to in-house catering. They advised us at all stages, brought the kitchen up to standard and helped with the transfer of staff recruitment and their training. They really took the worry out of the process."

To cater for the special needs of the students, who are often visual learners, ESSL devised a pictorial menu, which is displayed in the classrooms as well as the dining hall.

Spa School has achieved Healthy School status*.

*This national programme has four themes: personal, social & health education; healthy eating; physical activity; emotional health & wellbeing. A long term initiative, it is designed to help young people and their school to be healthy.