Catering in the EMS flats
We recognise the importance of a healthy, balanced diet to enable students to thrive both physically and academically. We are equally committed to supporting students as they learn important life-skills such as cooking. For these reasons we ensure all students have access to healthy ingredients to enable them to prepare a range of meals. We also structure the preparation of food to provide them with experience of planning and preparing meals for themselves and others.
Breakfast
Students prepare their own breakfast and are expected to clear up behind themselves. They access to a range of healthy options that include: a range of cereals, bread for toasting, spreads for toast, milk, fruit juice, fresh fruit, yoghurt, tea, coffee.
Staff are available to provide support and supervision for those students that need it, particularly at the start of year 12.
Lunch
Students make their own arrangements for lunchtime. There’s plenty of space for them to store their ingredients should they wish to prepare a packed lunch. The main school also has microwaves and boiling water available for those that wish to bring something to school that requires a little preparation.
Dinner
All students cook for one another on a rota basis. There are always at least three options available to cater for different dietary requirements and we have the flexibility for students to prepare an alternative meal if none of the main options are suitable. Staff support students as they learn to cook, providing tips, advice and encouragement. During their first year with us, students work towards a Food Hygiene Certificate and by the end of year 12 should be confident and safe working in a kitchen.
The menus for each week are decided by the students: each lead-cook submits their recipie the week before they are due to cook. Staff order the ingredients and take delivery of them on Monday morning. We’ve created our own recipie book to provide students with some ideas of meals that are nutritious and reasonably straight-forward to create. Students are encouraged to add to our collection and/or cook using recipies of their own.
Weekly menus are displayed in each kitchen. Below is a sample.
Weekly Menu – Week Beginning 10/01/22
Monday: Chicken and chorizo paella
Tuesday: Ginger, sesame and chilli prawn and broccoli stir fry
Wednesday: Homemade spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread
Thursday: Salmon fillets with roasted vegetables and new potatoes
Vegan/Vegetarian Kitchen Menu
Monday: Sweet potato, spinach & lentil dhal
Tuesday: Roasted butternut squash & sage risotto
Wednesday: Vegan winter vegetable stew and dumplings
Thursday: Falafel stuffed pittas, vegan coleslaw, salad and sweet potato fries
Snacks
We have a range of food available for students to have or use to prepare their own snacks. They are also welcome to bring their own snacks – there’s plenty of space to store them either in the kitchen area (labelled) or their own room.