HEALTHY food is well and truly on the menu at the Marden Vale Academy in Calne after kitchen staff received an Eat Out, Eat Well Gold Award.

The award, assessed and managed by Wiltshire Council's Public Protection service, rewards caterers who make it easier for diners to make healthy choices.

Marden Vale is the only school in Calne to receive the Gold Award, the highest on offer with the most stringent attainment requirements, with Sarah Jane's Cafe the only other award winner in the town.

“It's fantastic that the hard work we put in to preparing high quality and nutritious food for the children is being recognised,” said catering manager Jenny Jeary.

“As much of our food as possible is made freshly on-site. We are a Fryer Free Zone, food is baked instead.

"Fresh fruit and vegetables are sourced locally, and we regularly run theme days to encourage as many children as possible to enjoy the food on offer.”

The scheme, launched in late 2014 in Wiltshire, uses a scoring system that takes into account the type of food on offer, cooking methods and how it is promoted to the customers.

Headteacher David Mayer said: “It's no wonder we have such a high number of children choosing to eat from our kitchen. Children often have difficulty choosing one of the three options from the menu and plates are almost universally cleared when lunch time rolls around.”

Marden Vale Academy kitchen has also attained a five star FSA hygiene rating.