'High street experience' launches at Earlston High School

The initiative has been designed to tempt pupils away from high street food outlets. The pupils can get freshly cooked pasta and a choice of sauces at the pasta bar. Healthy pizzas, sandwiches and speciality breads are also on offer. Favourites from the hot food counter include stovies and curry. Meanwhile pre-packaged sandwiches are available off the counter and in vending machines, which also include healthy drinks such as water and fruit juices and snacks such as reduced fat crisps. A coffee corner for fifth and sixth year pupils and staff is another new idea being piloted at Earlston. Over the next few weeks, a pre-ordering facility will be introduced for those in a hurry. Any hot or cold food can be pre-ordered and ready for collection at a set time. Councillor Catriona Bhatia, executive member for Education, said: "I'm delighted to see the recommendations from the school meals task force being put into practice and eagerly await the results of this trial. "The Council's catering team, led by Alistair McIntyre, has worked very hard to get to this stage and I hope it has the desired effect of encouraging more pupils to purchase their food at the school, ensuring that they eat healthily and making the service provided more cost effective." This initiative is a pilot which, if successful, could be rolled out to all high schools across the borders.