Lexington Independents has partnered with Leicester High School for Girls to help enhance pupils’ wellbeing through nutritious, freshly prepared food. Together they’re creating a vibrant dining experience that fuels learning and inspires lifelong healthy and sustainable habits.
A dedicated team of five has already refreshed the school’s food offer, introducing new menus and home-grown concepts designed to engage pupils and create a positive food culture across the school. This includes celebrating cultural occasions, offering popular high street-style dishes such as bao buns, and tailoring menus and portion sizes to suit pupils at different life stages.
Nutrition is central to Lexington’s approach, with 95% of dishes prepared on-site and healthier ingredients incorporated into familiar favourites via its ‘Health by Stealth’ initiative. Pupils are encouraged to make their own choices, helping them understand the impact of healthy eating.
As with all Lexington contracts, there’s a strong commitment to local sourcing, seasonal menus and sustainability. And everything is supported by regular independent audits to maintain quality and consistency. Lexington has also launched a calendar of educational sessions led by in-house nutritionist Leah Style, covering topics such as digestion, food and mood, and wellbeing.
Leicester High School for Girls, situated in South Knighton, Leicester, is an independent day school for girls aged 3-18. The school prides itself on providing a diverse and inclusive community, where pupils of all backgrounds are supported to achieve their potential and flourish.
Bonnie Dankbars, operations director at Lexington Independents, said: “Central to the Lexington philosophy is the belief that it’s vital to start teaching good nutrition and healthy habits from the earliest years. Young minds need proper nourishment to learn, grow and thrive, and schools play such an important role in shaping those lifelong habits.
“It’s a real pleasure to provide catering services at Leicester High School for Girls, where we share a genuine commitment to nutrition and sustainability – helping pupils make positive choices for their health and the planet.”
Stef Shaw, bursar at Leicester High School, said: “We’ve already seen such a positive response to the new menu options. Lexington Independents was the perfect partner for us because it understands the importance of nourishment and providing high-quality food in the school environment – as well as bringing meaningful value to the school community throughout the year.”
