SCHOOL dinners have long had a bad reputation.

But one Taunton school is addressing that - and has now been shortlisted for an award for their efforts.

King’s Hall in Taunton has been shortlisted for the Healthy Eating Award category in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

Managed by Independents by Sodexo, King’s ensures the delivery of fresh food each day.

Following their Better Tomorrow campaign, the team have trialled a number of initiatives that support the promotion of vegetable-based menus.

"The school also operates a zero-waste policy, meaning all food waste is recycled and converted into renewable energy at Cannington Bio Energy," a spokesperson said.

"As part of their recent veg pledge, Wasteful to Tasteful, pupils embraced the wonders of ‘wonky’ fruit and veg, taking part in workshops with the catering manager and enjoying daily dishes of ‘perfectly imperfect’ produce.

"The aim of the campaign was to reduce the volume of grade B fruit and vegetables being disposed of unnecessarily."

However the pupils aren’t the only ones doing their bit for the environment.

"In October 2019, the school’s catering team took part in the nationwide ‘WasteLESS Week’, a five-day challenge committed to reducing the use of single-use plastics," the spokesperson added.

"The team were successful in their efforts and learned a number of valuable lessons."

King’s Hall also boasts a new cookery school, designed to help pupils develop practical cooking and preparation skills and opened by MasterChef quarter-finalist, Hope Pointing.

In an interactive Q&A session, the professional chef and nutritionist gave pupils an insight into the world of cooking, sharing her top baking tips and recipes.

She also spoke to the children about her struggles with coeliac disease, stressing the importance of healthy eating.

This was particularly pertinent to those pupils who have allergies or special dietary requirements, and provided some much-needed food for thought.