Kirklees Together

Thousands of pupils across Kirklees tucked into a traditional roast dinner this National Roast Dinner Day as the council’s award-winning Kirklees Catering Service joined celebrations during National School Meals Week 2026. 

From roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings to freshly prepared vegetables and gravy, school kitchens across the district served one of the nation’s favourite meals while highlighting the important role school food continues to play in supporting children’s health, wellbeing and learning. 

This year’s National School Meals Week is particularly significant as it marks 120 years since school meals were first introduced in England. The milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on how school meals have evolved over more than a century while recognising the positive difference they continue to make for children and young people today. 

In Kirklees, thousands of school meals are prepared and served every day by the council’s catering service, helping children stay energised, focused and ready to learn throughout the school day. The service holds the prestigious Food for Life Served Here accreditation, recognising its commitment to freshly prepared meals, high nutritional standards and sustainable food practices. 

Menus are carefully planned to meet national School Food Standards while providing children with a varied choice of nutritious and appealing meals. From traditional favourites such as roast dinners to modern dishes inspired by different cultures and tastes, the service aims to encourage pupils to enjoy a balanced diet and develop positive relationships with food. 

National Roast Dinner Day also shines a light on the dedicated catering teams working in schools across Kirklees. Every day, school kitchen staff prepare, cook and serve meals that help create a welcoming lunchtime experience for pupils and support schools in promoting healthy eating.

Caroline Kimber, Kirklees Catering Service, said:

“Our teams are passionate about providing meals that children enjoy and that families can have confidence in. Whether it’s a traditional roast dinner or one of the many other options on our menus, we know that a good school meal can make a real difference to a child’s day.” 

“National School Meals Week provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate not only the food we serve, but also the contribution school meals make to children’s health, wellbeing and readiness to learn.” 

As schools across Kirklees celebrate National Roast Dinner Day, the occasion serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of school meals and the dedicated staff who continue a tradition that has supported generations of children for more than a century.

Interested in learning more? 

National School Meals Week provides an opportunity to recognise the positive role school meals continue to play in supporting children and young people. To find out more about Kirklees Catering Service and the meals available in local schools, visit the Kirklees Catering Service website or contact catering@kirklees.gov.uk.