Andrew Phillips

Local primary school Washingborough Academy has been nominated for a prestigious national award for inspiring its children to grow, cook and eat healthy food.

The academy is one of just three schools across the UK to be shortlisted for the accolade at the EDUcatering Excellence Awards run by the UK’s school meals industry, with the winner announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Garden Hotel in October.

Washingborough has been nominated for an award to recognise the schools that have made the most progress in implementing the School Food Plan – a government-backed programme to improve the health of children through food education.

The school has a history of its commitment to healthy lifestyle. It was the first school in the UK to sign up to the Jamie Oliver Foundation’s Kitchen Garden Project.  

It’s also one of only 14 schools in England to receive a gold award from Sustrans for its efforts to encourage children to bike to school.

The school has achieved the Food for Life Partnership’s silver award, a Soil Association-led network of schools and communities across England – committed to transforming food culture and is one of only 20 schools in the county to hold the award.

The charity aims to reach out through schools to give communities access to seasonal, local and organic food, and to the skills they need to cook and grow fresh food.

Impressively the school grows its own vegetables in the school grounds and has planted an orchard of Lincolnshire variety apple trees.

Earlier this year the school was praised by the chief executive of Public Health England, Duncan Selbie, for the “enlightened” way it teaches pupils about a healthy lifestyle.

“We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for such a prestigious award. It’s recognition for the hard work and commitment from all the staff, parents, governors and, most importantly, the children,” said head teacher Jason O’Rourke.

“It’s a fundamental part of our school’s culture to educate and inspire our pupils to embrace a healthy lifestyle through food and exercise.

“A healthy child is a happy child and it’s been proven that health and happiness are crucial to better learning.”

The Access LN6 team at Lincolnshire County Council is challenging drivers to swap four wheels for two, and bike to work.

Whether you use one of your own bikes or chose to ride one of Lincoln’s hirebikes, the Access LN6 team wants more businesses to pledge their support for the day.

The national event is championed by multi-gold medal winning Paralympic cyclist, Dame Sarah Storey, who is encouraging the public to take part.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Councillor for Highways and Transportation at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“Cycle to Work Day is a great initiative to encourage staff to dust off their bikes and enjoy a different commute to work.

“Whether you cycle the full distance or just part of the way, we want to encourage more people to cycle more often, and it ties in great with the work our Access LN6 team is already doing in the area.

“We’re getting involved at Lincolnshire County Council, and we would encourage you all to make a pledge and cycle to work.”

Businesses can sign up as an employer and promote Cycle to Work Day with posters in communal areas. They can also be part of Britain’s biggest bike breakfast by rewarding colleagues that bike to work with a coffee and a croissant.

The Access LN6 team are offering free bike maintenance at the Kingsley Road hirebike station from 7.45am to 9.00am, and there are two bike trains for people cycling in to, and out of, Lincoln city centre.

Meeting times for the bike trains will be at 7.30am at the Coop at Witham St Hughs for a bike ride into Lincoln city centre (along Newark Road and Tritton Road), or meet at 7.30am at the Brayford Waterfront for a bike ride to Doddington Road, Kingsley Road and Teal Park (via Birchwood).

For those that sign up for the event there is a chance to win a brand new £850 bike.  To make your pledge and download posters to promote the event, visit the Cycle to Work Day website.