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Nine out of ten tuck in
NINETY per cent of primary school pupils now enjoy a healthy free meal at lunch time after the launch of a council scheme.
Durham County Council is running a pilot scheme to provide free school meals for primary school pupils after being chosen as one of three pilot areas by the The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
An extra 37 per cent of children had benefited from the free meals by November last year and by March this year 168 schools in County Durham had benefited from investment totalling 3.12m.
Councillor Claire Vasey, portfolio holder for children and young people's services, said: "It's fantastic that so many children are now benefiting from a healthy, sit down meal every day. The scheme comes at a time when the extra money saved has a very positive impact on families.
"As well as the financial benefits to families with young children, jobs have been created with 174 extra catering staff now being employed. In addition schools have received new kitchens and facilities worth more than 3m which will provide long lasting benefits for pupils and staff."
Research shows that a sit down lunch boosts children's concentration and calms them down for afternoon lessons, with head teachers across the county commenting on the amount of children choosing to eat a vast variety of foods.
This includes traditional options like shepherds pie, previously overshadowed by more contemporary options such as pasta.
Councils in Durham, Wolverhampton and Newham in London were chosen to take part in the pilot scheme last September.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Thursday 09 February 2012
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