Wirral school revamps lunchtime menus ... with high praise from youngsters

May 18 2011 by Jane Clare, Birkenhead News

YOUNGSTERS at a Wirral school have helped to totally revitalise their lunchtime menus ... and are now proclaiming them fantabulastic!

Overchurch Junior School in Upton decided a few months ago to put healthy food well and truly on the menu.

This meant the school’s 30-strong pupils’ council was treated to taste tests, and by talking to the other 300-plus pupils, a new menu has been devised.

Now youngsters have a choice of a new Deli Bar with fresh wraps, buns and tasty, healthy, fillings, or a choice of two main courses.

The school menus have been given a huge thumbs-up from the young food critics.

Bradley Bates, 11, had a Spanish-style wrap on the first day with a chocolate milk-shake... and declared it much better (and healthier) than a popular High Street brand!

He said: “I loved it. I think the food is fantabulastic!”

Beth Kydd, 11, tucked into a “massive” tuna wrap on launch day which she described as “delicious”.

Fellow pupils Louis O’Brien and Bethany Crowder, also 11, declared the new menus as “amazing” and “really, really nice”.

Headmistress Cathy Parkinson said: “We wanted to provide much healthier food options.

“Lots of families are concerned that the food is as good, the same quality, as they get at home.

“Lunchtime is a really important part of the day.

“It should be a pleasant experience, the children should enjoy it.”

Mandy Jolly is the school’s cook-in-charge. Mandy said: “It is totally different, there is more food preparation. But it is important we have involved the children.”

Debbi Jeffrey of the RPJ3 group, a consultancy from Moreton, was asked to provide guidance to Overchurch in its transition.

The consultancy has so far helped over 10 schools in Wirral go down the same route.

She said: “The kids’ involvement has been really important here.”