student eating lunch

Food and Nutrition

At Beachborough, we understand that good food plays a vital role in children’s health, wellbeing and ability to learn. From busy days in the classroom to sport, play and co-curricular activities, we believe children thrive when they are fuelled with nutritious, balanced meals that they genuinely enjoy. Our experienced catering team prepares approximately 90% of meals from scratch, using fresh ingredients sourced from trusted local and specialist suppliers.

An independent review of our catering provision recognised the high quality of our food, the positive food culture across the school and the exceptionally low levels of food waste.

At a Glance

  • 90% of food prepared from scratch
  • Fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible
  • Seasonal menus on a four-week rotation
  • Fresh fruit available daily
  • Healthy homemade Ghab provided every day
  • Allergy-aware and inclusive cooking
  • Reduced-sugar recipes and homemade sauces
  • Hot lunches for Nursery and Kindergarten children staying all da
  • Hot tea provided during after-school wraparound care

From nourishing lunches and homemade baked treats to fresh fruit and healthy snacks, we are committed to providing food that children enjoy, and parents can feel confident about.

Current Menus

Our seasonal menus are carefully planned to provide variety, balanced nutrition and meals children genuinely enjoy. Running on a four/five-week rotation, they are designed to keep children energised throughout their busy school days while encouraging healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food.

Download our current menus:

Menus are updated termly and may occasionally vary to reflect seasonal availability and special events.

Fresh, Local & Homemade

We are proud to work with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to quality, freshness and nutrition, including:

  • AC Proctor, Bicester – fruit, vegetables, bakery and dairy products
  • SR Smith & Sons, Brackley – high-quality meat products
  • Kingfisher Brixham – fresh fish
  • Vegetarian Express – vegan, vegetarian and specialist ingredients
  • Willersey Foods – pork products

By sourcing locally wherever possible and preparing food in-house, we can focus on quality, flavour and nutrition in every meal we serve. This approach also gives us greater control over ingredients and allows us to create dishes that children enjoy while meeting our high standards for nutrition and wellbeing.

Inclusive for Every Child

We believe every child should be able to enjoy mealtimes with confidence.

Whether using dairy-free alternatives, gluten-free ingredients or other carefully selected substitutions, we ensure children with additional dietary needs enjoy meals that are every bit as delicious and appealing as those served to their friends.

Our aim is simple: every child should feel included and able to enjoy the same positive dining experience.

Supporting Healthy Eating

We continually review our menus and recipes to ensure they provide balanced nutrition and sustained energy throughout the school day.

Recent developments include:

  • Reducing sugar in selected recipes and baked goods
  • Increasing the use of wholegrain ingredients where appropriate
  • Making more sauces and dishes from scratch
  • Exploring ways to reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods
  • Incorporating ingredients that help support concentration and wellbeing

Our focus is on helping children maintain steady energy levels throughout the day, supporting learning, sport and play.

Ghab

A much-loved Beachborough tradition, Ghab is provided daily to all pupils and is designed to bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch with healthy, slow-release energy.

Alongside fresh fruit, children enjoy a homemade snack prepared by our catering team. Typical ingredients include wholemeal flour, porridge oats, fruit, vegetables, seeds and natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup and dates. These nutritious snacks help children stay focused, energised and ready to make the most of their morning.

Our Commitment

At Beachborough, food is about more than simply satisfying hunger. Every meal is an opportunity to encourage healthy habits, develop positive relationships with food and bring children together as a community.

We are proud that our children enjoy their meals and that food waste remains exceptionally low, reflecting the care and attention that goes into every dish prepared by our catering team. Through fresh ingredients, homemade cooking, local partnerships and thoughtful menu planning, we strive to provide food that helps every child flourish.