Good food is fundamental to children’s health, growth, and ability to learn. At Windlesham House, our experienced catering team prepares fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals daily. We cater for all dietary requirements and introduce children to varied, healthy eating.
All pupils receive three main meals per day plus snacks and refreshments. Mealtimes are social occasions where pupils sit together, develop table manners, and enjoy good food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Breakfast is served from 7.30am to 8.00am in the dining hall. A varied breakfast menu includes
Breakfast is included in most fees and is particularly important for boarding pupils and those who arrive early for wrap-around care. There is a small charge for day pupils having breakfast with us.
Lunch, served from 11.45am – 1.30pm, is the main meal of the day. Our lunches are hearty, nutritious and provide the energy pupils need for afternoon activities. The menu includes
Evening meal is served at 6.00pm. Supper is lighter than lunch but still substantial enough to sustain pupils through the evening. Options include:
Mid-morning and mid-afternoon break times feature
Boarders have access to kitchenettes in boarding houses for hot drinks and treats during the evening
We cater for all dietary needs whether it is breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks during the day. If there very specific requirements, we encourage parents to speak to our catering team as they maintain detailed records of all allergies and intolerances.
Food allergies are taken extremely seriously. Our catering team maintains detailed records of all allergies and intolerances. Meals are prepared carefully to avoid cross-contamination. For severe allergies, individual protocols ensure safety at all times. Pupils with allergies are known to all catering staff who take personal responsibility for their safety.
We accommodate medical dietary requirements including
We respect religious and cultural dietary practices including
Vegetarian options are available at every meal. We can accommodate vegan diets with advance notice ensuring nutritional needs are met.
While we encourage pupils to try new foods and develop broad tastes, we understand that children have preferences. With the wide choice available at each meal, there is always something every child will enjoy. For pupils with very restricted diets, we work with families to find acceptable options.
Our food philosophy balances nutrition with enjoyment. Children need nutritious food to grow and thrive but meals should also be pleasurable social experiences.
Our menus meet the School Food Standards ensuring pupils receive
Our catering team prepares meals from fresh ingredients. We avoid over-processed foods and make sauces, soups and desserts from scratch. This approach is healthier, tastier, and teaches children to appreciate real food.
We rotate menus seasonally, introducing pupils to diverse foods from different cuisines. This cultural education through food helps children develop adventurous palates. Themed meal days celebrate different countries and traditions.
We believe in balance rather than restriction. Occasional treats like puddings, cakes and birthday celebrations are part of normal, healthy eating. Teaching children about moderation and informed choices is more valuable than eliminating all treats.
Mealtimes at Windlesham House are fun social occasions. Pupils sit with their friends at tables with staff. This family-style dining encourages conversation, social skills and table manners. Older pupils help younger ones and everyone participates in clearing and tidying.
The dining hall is bright and welcoming. Laughter and chatter is always heard throughout the dining room and staff eat with pupils modeling good eating habits and manners. Mealtimes are relaxed and enjoyable rather than rushed.
Many children go through fussy eating phases. The variety of choice at each meal means there is always something appealing. We gently encourage trying new foods without pressure. Seeing peers eat a wide range of foods often motivates fussy eaters to broaden their diets. Most fussy eaters surprise their parents by discovering new favorites at school. We keep parents informed if we have concerns about a child not eating adequately.
Yes, menus are published on the parent portal. We rotate menus seasonally (autumn, spring, summer) to take advantage of seasonal produce.
Birthdays are celebrated with cake at tea time. Parents can send in a cake (shop-bought or homemade but must be nut free) or we can arrange one from our catering team. We sing happy birthday and the birthday child feels special. For pupils with allergies, we ensure there is safe cake they can enjoy too.
Yes, cookery lessons are part of our curriculum. Pupils learn to prepare healthy meals, understand nutrition and develop independence. Weekend activities for boarders often include cooking sessions where children make pizzas, cakes or other treats under staff supervision in our teaching kitchen.
Water fountains throughout school ensure pupils stay hydrated. Water bottles are encouraged and pupils can refill them anytime. Milk is available at break times for younger pupils.
Throughout the term, we will explore the world through food. Our pupils can vote from a choice of countries every other week during our food tourist programme. We have visited some great countries and eaten some amazing meals cooked by our catering team.
