GOOD FOOD FOR GROWING BOYS

All meals and snacks are prepared by specially trained chefs in-house. We use locally sourced ingredients, and each meal is balanced to include all the vital nutrients a growing boy needs for body and mind. Our chefs make vegetarian and plant-based options as well as using well-loved recipes from all over the world and our Christmas lunch is second to none.   

Everything we serve meets the highest food standards.

All special diets are catered for, including any packed lunches prepared for trips.

We aim to be a nut-free school and no nuts or sesame are used in any food prepared or served.

BREAKFAST

The day begins with breakfast for boarders, staff and anyone coming for wraparound care. It’s not unusual to see teachers popping in to grab an early croissant or join the boys for a Full English. Boys seem always to be big fans of toast with all the usual jams and marmite as well as muffins, crumpets, pastries and brioches. There’s hot porridge or overnight oats, with yoghurts and homemade granola and even a selection of cheeses.    

SNACKS

Hungry tummies are satisfied with homemade snacks from our ever popular mobile carts wheeled out at break times and packed to the rafters with fresh fruit, vegetable sticks and sometimes our legendary cookies and flapjacks.   

LUNCH

There are always three choices on the lunch menu, including plant-based options and meals for any special dietary requirements. The fruit tray is kept topped up and we get through huge quantities.

Boys love our homemade cakes and desserts and we have no complaints when we sneak in fruit and veg’ instead of sugar.   

MATCH TEAS   

Match teas are a highlight of the week.  

Post-match, boys and visiting teams tuck into a very English afternoon tea to restore energy levels and see them through until supper.  Families who come to watch also get a slice of the action with Pilgrims’ famous homemade cakes, scones and sausage rolls, along with plenty of tea and coffee. 

Supper

Supper offers boarders and wrap-around care boys an even wider menu from around the world. A salad bar is always available. Fruit, yoghurt or more traditional dessert choices complete the meal. 

Special Diets 

Every member of our team holds the Food Standards Agency’s Allergen Training Qualification.  Senior Catering staff have additional Advanced Level Qualifications.  

We cater for individual requirements of any boy who follows a special diet for medical or faith reasons. We are a completely ‘nut and traces of nut free’ school. The School Nurses and the Catering Manager work closely together and will happily meet with parents to discuss their son’s requirements. 

The Environment 

We are fully committed to not using single-use plastic or other single-use products as much as possible. We source our food as locally as possible.

The Pupil Voice 

Many menu choices have been influenced by the boys. Each term, a cross-section of boys attends a pupil-led Food Committee meeting where likes and dislikes are shared, themed lunches are discussed, and new menu ideas are suggested. We also survey the boys regularly and take on board their feedback as we plan our menus. 

Aims, Purpose and Values

We suit boys who’ll make the most of the opportunities we offer, whilst also contributing to the school community. While founded on a Christian ethos, we welcome boys of all faiths and none and we aim to foster the character of every single Pilgrim.

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