A RAWTENSTALL school has been presented with an award for the quality of its food education.

Belmont School, Haslingden Road, received the Food for Life Partnership Bronze Award for good school food culture at the London ceremony, which was attended by Prince Charles.

The school secured the award after changing school meals and integrating practical food education into lessons. Now Belmont School serves seasonal school meals that are at least 75% freshly prepared by a trained school cook.

Pupils and parents are involved in planning improvements to menus and the dining experience via a school nutrition action group, boosting school meal take-up.

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

Assistant headteacher Ann Davies said: “We are well on our way to achieving the Silver Award and hope to become a Flagship School before the end of the year.

“Andy McGoldrick, the deputy head, and myself were privileged to be given time with HRH who was very interested in the impact that this programme has had. He even knew where Rossendale was which came as a surprise!”