Health and nutrition

Healthy eating initiatives have been in the headlines recently. However, at Aysgarth School we pride ourselves on the fact that our excellent catering team, under the leadership of James Wilcott, has been serving delicious, meals for many years.

Meals are homemade, using fresh, local produce.

We cater for all dietary requirements. We aim to be nut-free and, whilst we cannot guarantee to be 100% additive free, we do monitor the use of additives very carefully and do not use aspartame.

Children are encouraged to try new foods and we work closely with parents to see how fussy eaters can be helped to eat a well-balanced meal.

We know that children do not always want to eat what is good for them. The School Nurses, Catering Manager and Headmaster’s wife meet each term to review the menus and ensure that we achieve a satisfactory balance. Cunning use of wholemeal flour in all our baking means that the children can enjoy delicious home made cakes and rolls, without realising how nutritious they are!

Pre-Prep and Nursery children go to the Prep School dining room for lunch.

With the exception of Nursery and Reception, who sit with their class teachers, the Pre-Prep children sit at tables with their House and a member of staff. We endeavour to maintain the high standard of manners that you expect at home and we encourage the children to sit up straight, use a knife, fork and spoon correctly and speak quietly.

It is not wise to offer young children too much choice, so everyone is given a daily hot meal, essential for growth and stamina.

The children have a mid-morning snack of milk and biscuits. In the afternoon they have fruit and water.

A sample of lunchtime menus

MONDAY
  • Roast Pork with stuffing
  • Apple Sauce
  • Roast Potatoes, Carrots and Gravy
  • Rice pudding or Fresh fruit
TUESDAY
  • Homemade Beef Burgers
  • Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables
  • Fruit crumble and Custard or Fresh Fruit
WEDNESDAY
  • Steak Pie
  • New potatoes and Cauliflower
  • Cornflake Tart and Custard or Fresh Fruit
THURSDAY
  • B.B.Q. Chicken
  • Sauté Potatoes and Broccoli
  • Steamed syrup sponge and Custard or Fresh Fruit
FRIDAY
  • Fish and Chips
  • Peas
  • Homemade Fresh Fruit Salad and Ice Cream or Fresh Fruit 

Dining room menus

We hope that you will find the following links to the catering menus helpful. These menus are seasonal and subject to change from time to time.

Week one

Week two

Week three