KITCHEN facilities at Francis Baily Primary School are set to…

KITCHEN facilities at Francis Baily Primary School are set to be improved if plans are approved.West Berkshire Council has applied to build a modular school kitchen at the Skillman Drive school as it says that the existing kitchen is insufficient to...

KITCHEN facilities at Francis Baily Primary School are set to be improved if plans are approved.

West Berkshire Council has applied to build a modular school kitchen at the Skillman Drive school as it says that the existing kitchen is insufficient to meet the demand of the Universal Infant Free School Meals programme and temporary arrangements were put in place to meet the Government's deadline in September last year. It adds that this is not a suitable long term solution as space has been taken from the existing dining hall to enlarge the kitchen, displacing children into the main hall for dining and affecting teaching.

The council adds that by extending the White Hall and having a fit for purpose kitchen and linked dining area, the school will be able to offer a dedicated dining space with which to provide meals during the lunch break. The school will also have the option to offer the use the hall for external community use.

Headteacher Chris Davis said that trying to time lunches using a small and out of date Victorian school hall with a high number of pupils had been a struggle and the new kitchen would improve lunch breaks for children and staff.

"It would just give us space that we can use a dedicated dining hall where we can make the experience more enjoyable," he said. "To have modern facilities for the first time will make the whole lunchtime event much more pleasant and enjoyable for the children."

The design and layout of the building has also provided an extra parking space for staff and parents.

Thatcham Town Council raised no objections to the plans at a recent meeting.