School Lunches

What do the girls eat during the day?

Our wonderful chef Linda Chinsman is a lynchpin of the school community and takes pride in nourishing us all. Adults and girls alike enjoy delicious, varied and nutritious school lunches in a relaxed and sociable dining hall where the girls have the space and time to chat over a meal before going out for their afternoon break.

Mrs Chinsman leads a dedicated team of caterers who have been with us for many years. Accent Catering oversees menu creation while leaving scope for personalisation and creativity. There are special events to celebrate seasonal ingredients, British farmers, or brainfood, and Accent nutritionists visit the school to involve the girls in workshops.

The food is prepared in our kitchen daily from fresh ingredients; Chandler’s have expanded from their original market stall in our street and still supply us over 50 years later with fruit and vegetables. There are always choices of hot dishes, including vegetarian options (and we are meat-free two days a week) and a large array of varied salads the girls can help themselves from. Menus are circulated regularly to parents in the mail-outs. Pupils select their meals on a canteen basis, with assistance from staff, who encourage them to try unfamiliar foods and have a balanced meal.

For dessert we generally have colourful selections of fresh fruit as well as homemade yoghurt. Girls are gently encouraged to try new flavours both at lunch and in lessons and clubs when the girls might cook soup or bake bread.

All the girls eat school lunches provided by us, however pupils bring a healthy snack (no nuts or sweets) each day, to be enjoyed at break times. We also ask that you provide your daughter with a reusable water bottle so that she can drink at various points during the day.