The aim of the Catering Department is to provide good, nutritious and tasty home-cooked food. Using fresh ingredients and making all our meals on site ensures that we know exactly what is in the food we serve at lunchtime. We use almost no processed food. Our burgers, nuggets, smoothies, soups, pies and pizzas are all made here. We want our food to look and taste good and to appeal to young children, not to be full of additives, fat and extra salt.

We want the children at Bute House to enjoy and look forward to lunchtime. We know that they do, by the comments we receive from children and parents (as well as the wistful comments of former pupils!). It is also good to see that the children, when choosing from the menu items, are willing to try new tastes, love homemade soups and smoothies, eat salad with enthusiasm and, although there are clear favourites like macaroni cheese and chicken pie, other dishes are becoming more popular as time goes on. Spaghetti bolognese is now one of the top choices, as are curries and meatballs with noodles. The children's Food Council meets the chef regularly to discuss options and new ideas.

The children sit at tables of ten, say grace and are served by an adult or an older girl. They learn table manners and are encouraged to eat a good meal and try new things. They then help to clear and wipe the table and, in the case of younger children, lay the table for the next sitting.

Lunch is one of the highlights of the day due to our professional chef and his team and it is very encouraging to feel that, whilst here at Bute House and when they leave the school, the children will have good and positive memories and attitudes about food and school meals.

We want the children at Bute House to enjoy eating at lunchtime. We know that they do, by the comments we receive from both Children and Parents. It is also good to see that the numbers of children choosing from the menu items changes from week to week and that although there are clear favourites like Macaroni Cheese and Chicken Pie, other dishes are becoming more popular as time goes on for eg. Spaghetti Bolognaise.