Oasis pupils help design new dining halls in makeover project

Over this year’s summer holidays, Sodexo (@SodexoGroup) has been working hard to transform the dining halls of 49 Oasis Academy schools with the help of designs from the academy pupils themselves.

An important ingredient in Sodexo’s Food & Co offer for schools is the recruitment of Agents for Change at each individual school. The Agents are the crucial link between Sodexo and its customers, providing valuable feedback on the menus and schools meals service.

Earlier this year, teams of around 12 Agents at each were tasked with helping Sodexo transform their school’s dining hall. Each team took part in a fun and interactive workshop, to help transform food counters, tills and walls with a choice of colour options, patterns, fonts and graphics, which are part of Sodexo’s Food & Co service offer.

Rosemary Molinari, marketing manager for schools, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: 

“In developing Food & Co, we conducted research with Key Stage 2 to 4 pupils, which showed us that pupils respond positively to environments that are cool and fun.  Pupils want lunchtime to be relaxed and a break away from the classroom.”

“We know that involving pupils in a makeover helps transform the relationship between them and their eating space, because they take ownership of the dining room – it becomes theirs, they respect it and want to eat there and ultimately helps create a positive and enjoyable link with school meals.”

This summer’s makeover programme across the Oasis Academy portfolio is fully funded by Sodexo and is aimed to help encourage more children to take a healthy daily meal.

Glen Lillo, principal at Oasis Academy Ryelands said:

 “We are thrilled with the bright and welcoming design that our pupils and Sodexo chose. At Oasis we are committed to the academic achievement of our pupils and we know the importance a healthy nutritious school lunch provides in helping to boost learning outcomes.”

Watch the transformation of Oasis Academy Ryelands here

Sodexo has been the school catering partner to Oasis Academies since 2010. Initially providing catering for three schools before extending its contract in 2014 to include the majority of Oasis Academies across the country.