FORGET soggy cabbage and lumpy custard, one school is making sure youngsters are getting the very best brainboosting grub.

Greensward Academy, in Hockley, has revamped the school canteen to to give students a whole new dining experience at the school and sixth form.

The school has teamed up with catering company Edwards and Blake to transform the its menu, which has been in place since the beginning of term.

It’s proving huge hit among pupils and staff.

The school has seen an increasing number of pupils having hot meals rather than packed lunch or going to shops outside school to grab something.

The changes, as well as the new menu, include a refurbishment of the main dining area and improvements to the sixth form cafe.

Debbie Stokes, headteacher, said: “We wanted to upgrade our food as before it was more basic. Now the children actually want to come and buy their food here.

“It is very tasty now. Before it was bland. You actually get a proper meal. I eat in here every day when I can.

“There is such a variety of food and it is very healthy and nutritious. The children love it.”

All the food is locally sourced and prepared, baked and cooked from fresh at the school every day.

There are no frozen meals.

The menu even caters for allergies, diabetics and has gluten free products.

Debbie added: “You can actually see the food being prepared and cooked in front of you , which I think makes a difference because it shows the children it’s fresh “ The price of a meal deal is £2.50 which includes a main meal and a desert.

Debbie added: “Some things are more expensive than before and some things are cheaper, but overall it is cheaper.

“I am very happy with it. The food is delicious and the signage and branding is great. The staff have new uniforms and have had new training. It’s all a lot better.”

The new service uses a biometric technology where children pay for their meals just with their finger prints.

Parents have an account where they are charged for their children’s meals which they can log into daily to see what their child has eaten that day.

Matthew Carnell, area manager for Edwards and Blake, said he was really pleased with how successful the new food has been and the positive changes it has bought to the school.

He said:“The feedback has been fantastic. From day one there has been a huge change.

“We work with the school as well to promote food for curriculum events. We even do themed days such as Mexican day or Italian day.”

He added: “It’s very healthy food and high quality. It also isn’t just about the food but about the presentation. We eat with our eyes.

The school has been providing a “street range” with sells foods such as paninis, wraps, sandwiches and hotpots.

Mr Carnell said: “We see what food is selling on the high street and we aim to match and even beat it, ours is better quality.

This is the first school we have catered for in the area and we really want to give the ‘wow factor’ here.”