A SCHOOL has been rewarded for its positive food culture . Barkway First School has picked up a bronze award at the first ever Food for Life Partnership Awards ceremony, which was held in London on Monday. Prince Charles was guest of honour. The school

A SCHOOL has been rewarded for its "positive food culture".

Barkway First School has picked up a bronze award at the first ever Food for Life Partnership Awards ceremony, which was held in London on Monday.

Prince Charles was guest of honour.

The school was one of just 20 nationwide to achieve the standard.

Headteacher Jenny Heinzelmann said: "I am immensely proud of the whole school community, whether pupils, staff, parents or governors, for their enthusiasm and hard work in achieving the Bronze Mark.

"With the help of the local community, and our partner Russell Smith Farms, we are already well on the way to achieving Food for Life's Silver and Gold Marks and look forward to sharing our knowledge with other schools."

To achieve the standard the school had to fulfil a number of criteria.

One of these was that the school must serve seasonal school meals that are at least 75 per cent freshly prepared by its trained school cook.

Pupils and parents are involved in planning improvements to school menus and the dining experience via a school nutrition action group - for which it chose the name BANG - boosting school meal take-up.

Every pupil has the opportunity to visit a farm during his or her time at school, and extensive opportunities are given for cooking and food growing activities.

Jeanette Orrey, Food for Life Partnership school meals advisor, said: "We campaigned for better school dinners, but it's not just about school meals any more, it's also about practical food education, such as learning to cook, growing food, and visiting farms to learn where food comes from.