As part of our successful bid to achieve Healthy Schools Gold status, we wanted to focus on encouraging the children to make healthier choices, both in school meals and packed lunches brought in from home.

Our Quad garden had been revamped during the spring term, transforming an over grown plot of land into a tranquil yet vibrant garden complete with two large allotment areas and greenhouses.

With the school council's input, we decided to purchase picnic benches and parasols so that in pleasant weather, children could eat their lunches outdoors.

School council suggested that this be in recognition of having healthy choices as part of a school meal or packed lunch.

Children were identified by their class teacher – who were also invited to dine outdoors. They received a badge which acted as a pass to the garden for that day.

he system was a huge success, not only in that it encouraged children to think about their meal choices, but also because it enabled lots of children to witness first hand how the garden was evolving – seeing flowers go from bud to bloom, witnessing a small shoot in the ground grow into a row of potatoes.

This summer, alongside dining outdoors, our maintenance crew and gardening club will also be aiming to produce more fruit and vegetables that children can use as ingredients for meals that they can eat outdoors too.