Secondary School Catering
Secondary school catering needs to keep up with busy timetables, larger pupil numbers and growing appetites. Students are more independent and have higher expectations around variety, value and speed of service. Meals need to support their wellbeing and give them the energy to get through the day, while fitting comfortably into short break periods.
Balanced meals every day
A good food offer should also take pressure off staff, reduce queues and add value to the wider school culture. Our service is built to do just that, with balanced meals, flexible systems, and a real focus on what students need most.
Menus are designed to meet the needs of teenage pupils without compromising on nutrition. Each day includes a mix of hot main meals, jacket potatoes, pasta boxes, cold salads, sandwiches and baked snacks. Dishes are rotated regularly, with seasonal ingredients featured throughout the year and cultural themes added to bring freshness and engagement. All options meet School Food Standards and cater for vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergen-aware diets.
Everything is clearly labelled, and pupils can easily make informed choices. Regular feedback is used to adapt the menu so that it stays popular and relevant, and students feel like their voice is being heard.
Quick service, fewer queues
Service needs to be fast, calm and reliable. Food stations are set up for flow and efficiency, with multiple counters and well-trained staff keeping things moving. Grab-and-go options are placed where they can be accessed quickly, and signage helps pupils make decisions faster.
Cashless payment systems allow top-ups online or via in-school points, helping families manage spend and freeing up time during service. Schools receive access to live reports, helping them monitor uptake and respond to trends. The focus is always on reducing queue times without losing that friendly, personal interaction that makes lunchtime feel safe and structured.
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While we experienced a few initial challenges, Midshire has since brought in several key staff members who have implemented positive changes.
As a result, we are now in a much stronger position and have seen significant improvements across the board. I would have no hesitation in providing them with a positive reference.
Deborah Howarth, CFO
Better food = better focus
The right food helps pupils focus better, behave more calmly and feel more capable in the classroom. Meals are designed around long-lasting energy, using complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and a good balance of fruit and vegetables. Processed food and added sugars are kept to a minimum, and allergen management is taken seriously.
We also support schools in encouraging better habits, using clear labelling, engaging specials and soft messaging around health and wellbeing. Students are more likely to make good choices when they feel supported, not pressured. Every part of the service works together to make that easy.
Shaped by students
Students know what works for them, and their feedback is central to shaping how the food offer evolves. Through regular surveys, feedback sessions and informal conversations, pupils influence menu decisions, portion sizes and even pricing. Tasting events allow new meals to be trialled with real-time feedback, helping reduce waste and build excitement.
Where possible, the catering team works alongside school councils and Wellbeing Leads to ensure the food offer reflects the needs and preferences of different year groups. The result is a service pupils feel connected to, which increases engagement and supports a positive dining culture.
Simple accounts & reporting
We support cashless systems in secondary schools to help speed up service and reduce admin. Pupils can top up their accounts online or through secure payment points in school, keeping queues short and giving families peace of mind. Pre-order options and menu visibility also make it easier for pupils to plan ahead and avoid stress.
The system is easy to integrate with school platforms and provides live reporting so staff can track uptake and meal trends across different year groups. It’s a practical way to help schools stay in control of their offer, whilst giving pupils more independence around food.
Our services
Want to build a better food service for your school?
We’d love to help. Whether you’re reviewing your current setup or starting fresh, we’ll work alongside you to create something that fits your school community and keeps pupils and staff well fed, happy and focused.
