Pupils at Stevenage’s Peartree Spring Primary School tuck into brain-boosting burgers during themed lunch

Peartree Spring Year 2 pupils Freddie Williams and Judy Dao enjoy their gourmet burgers for lunch. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

As part of the special themed meal the 365 Peartree children enjoyed low-fat beefburgers, fortified with broccoli and spinach to give extra iron, or vegetarian burgers made with beans and other veggies.

These were accompanied by additional slices of onion, tomato or cucumber, with side options of potato wedges, corn on the cob or coleslaw.

Peartree deputy head Kim Taylor said: “The children often choose the themed day lunch, however, the school lunches are always popular. Many parents choose them for their children as they are a healthy option.”

Herts Catering Ltd head Lin O’Brien said: “We work hard to make sure all meal times are a positive part of the school day, and themed meal times like this help children develop an interest in good food from the outset.

“We encourage healthy eating in a variety of ways, including offering unlimited access to vegetables and salad to accompany their lunch.

“This approach is working well – in the last year we’ve seen a 15 per cent increase in the amount of fruit and vegetables we are using in schools.”