A SCHOOL dinners supremo called into a Lowestoft high school as it took the first step to becoming a recognised national leader on food quality and education.

A SCHOOL dinners supremo called into a Lowestoft high school as it took the first step to becoming a recognised national leader on food quality and education.

Denes High School welcomed School Meals Policy Advisor Jeanette Orrey after being selected as one of 180 flagship schools and communities across England by the Lottery-funded Food for Life Partnership.

Ms Orrey, who worked closely with Jamie Oliver' school meals campaign, spent time talking with the school's senior management, catering staff and students, as she analysed their approach to food and outlined where improvements could be made.

The partnership will now help the school put more fresh, local and organic food on the menu and get their pupils cooking and growing food and visiting local farms.

Speaking during the visit on Monday last week, Denes' headteacher Mick Lincoln said: 'We believe we have a responsibility to our students to guide them towards eating healthily. By becoming a flagship school, we want to inspire, rather than cajole, them to eat a healthy, climate-friendly diet by giving them an opportunity to see how food is produced and to cook and grow their own.'

In 2007 the Soil Association was awarded �16.9m by the Big Lottery Fund to lead the five-year Food for Life Partnership.

Ian Nutt, the partnership's regional coordinator for the East of England, said: 'The Denes was selected as a flagship school because of its commitment to improving their school food provision, backed by the dynamic and enthusiastic catering team and school staff.'

Schools still have the opportunity to become flagships schools. For more information visit www.foodforlife.org.uk