Calling Kingston Parents!

On Tuesday 12 January, RBK will be hosting the first of a series of half termly meetings to shape the future of school meals in the borough.  The current school meal service managed by the borough is supplied by Cygnet.  27 of the 32 primary and special schools use this service which either provides a hot meal, produced in a hub kitchen, or packed lunches based on the requirements of the school.

Take-up across the borough contract is low - currently at 17%, whilst take-up at schools that have opted out ranges from 40-60%.  Clearly RBK can learn from the successes of those schools managing their own school meal service, and I am delighted to say that the council is ready to listen.

A new contract is due to commence in September 2011.  This is a wonderful opportunity for head and parents to have their say.  The School Meals Working Party has been set up and will be attended by 4 LA representatives, 4 primary school heads (currently using the contract), SFM and now we need parents.  I am looking for just two parents with the passion and interest to make a change.

The first session next Tuesday will be facilitated by school meals consultant, Lindsay Graham, who is giving her services free of charge to kick start the process.  The session will run from 10-3pm at King Charles Centre in Surbiton.  There is free parking on site and in neighbouring streets.  There will be coffee breaks and lunch is provided.

King Charles Centre
King Charles Road
Surbiton
Surrey KT5 9AL

Accessibility: Full access to all floors
Bus routes: 281, 406, 418 (from Surbiton & Kingston), 
265 (from New Malden)
Nearest train station: Surbiton

At the first meeting we will agree terms of reference for the group and the group's objectives.  It is key that the customers (ie the parents) are heard at this early stage, so that your wishes for the meal service can be implemented into the next meal service.  

After this initial session, we will meet half-termly (meetings on-going will be a max of 2 hours) until we have produced specifications for the next contract.

If you'd like to be part of this exciting project, please email me as soon as possible!