DORCAN Academy has served up an award-winning recipe for success after staff’s dedication to healthy eating won them an accolade from Swindon Borough Council.

The Covingham school, which is home to a healthy snack shack, world cuisine theme days and a vegetable garden was one of 16 primary and secondary schools across the town to be recognised for their healthy eating efforts at a ceremony at the school this week.

Eugene Haynes, the deputy head of design and technology at the academy, said: “It’s great to be acknowledged for our efforts.

“But the real pleasure comes from seeing students making healthy choices of their own accord.

“We have really close links with the cafeteria, so what they learn in the classroom can be put into practice at lunch.

“We’ve recently started growing our own food, such as carrots and onions, as well as herbs, so pupils can season what they make with something freshly picked.

“The cafeteria only serves chips once a week and there is a real focus on variety and freshness.

“Theme days, like Chinese food, are proving popular and we’ve even got school food champions, with a presence on social media.

“We’re promoting healthy eating as a way of life and this holistic approach is already getting results.”

Dorcan Academy, Warneford School, Lydiard Park Academy and Oliver Tomkins and Wroughton junior schools will also be receiving recognition for being among the first schools in the country to engage with the Making School Meals Count project, which is run by the Children’s Food Trust.

The Department For Education-funded work aims to improve students’ health by increasing the uptake of school meals.

Haydon Leigh, Westlea, Holy Family, Holy Cross, South Marston and East Wichel primary schools, as well as the Chalet School, have all accomplished Food For Life Partnership accreditation, recognising their joined-up approach to providing healthy, more sustainable food.

Haydon Leigh catering manager Karen McFadyen, who helped the school scoop a gold award, said: “This has been a five-year journey and we feel very proud to have come so far.

“We’re now able to provide high quality meals cooked from scratch using organic and locally sourced produce, thanks to fantastic relationships with local suppliers, such as Purton House Organic and Hinton Marsh Farm.

“The children really enjoy the food so we don’t see many leftovers.

“It’s the traditional dishes which they seem to like the most and it’s all very wholesome.”

Coun Fionuala Foley, the Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for children services, said: “Having a well-balanced diet is vital and starting these habits from an early age is important. It’s fantastic to see so many schools putting effort into making sure their pupils get nutritious food.”