Healthy menu, healthy minds

Ms Beauchamp introduces the delicious new food on offer in Monty’s

We are delighted to share some exciting changes to Monty’s school meals for Autumn 2026, with a renewed focus on tasty, nutritious food and plenty of choice for our pupils.

Monty’s has been working hard to refresh the menu for the new academic year. The changes also mean that we are already moving towards the proposed new Department for Education School Food Standards, which are expected to come into effect from September 2027. The proposed standards focus on increasing fibre, fruit and vegetables, reducing foods high in fat, salt and sugar, increasing pulses and plant-based proteins, and improving the nutritional quality of ‘Grab & Go’ food.

The new menu includes a much greater range of wholemeal and wholegrain options, including wholemeal spaghetti, tagliatelle, wraps, pitta breads, burritos and lasagne, as well as wholegrain rice.

Pupils will also see plenty of vegetables accompanying their meals, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, green beans, peas and sweetcorn, alongside a free daily salad selection. Fruit is also being incorporated into desserts in a variety of ways, including fresh fruit, fruit compotes, crumbles and fruit salads.

There will continue to be a vegetarian option alongside the main meal, providing pupils with a good balance of meat and plant-based choices.

We are particularly excited about our refreshed ‘Grab & Go’ provision. Alongside the main meal, pupils can choose from sandwiches, baguettes, bagels, paninis, jacket potatoes and salad options. There’s also a wider range of wraps and vegetarian choices across the week. This gives pupils even more flexibility to choose a lunch that suits them, while making nutritious options readily available.

Comments from students include: ‘I’m really looking forward to trying some of the new dishes.’ And: ‘There’s much more choice now, so you can have something different each day. I like having the option of a hot meal or something from Grab & Go.’

The changes to Monty’s are about more than simply meeting future guidance. Good food plays an important part in helping pupils feel ready for the school day, supporting their wellbeing, concentration and readiness to learn. Most importantly, student choice remains at the heart of Monty’s. We want pupils to enjoy their lunches, try new foods and discover healthy options that they genuinely love.