On 24th January, the 600-year-old Co-educational and Boarding Ipswich School was awarded a Gold medal by the nationally-recognised Continuous Advancement Programme (CAP) for its catering provision. Having first achieved the CAP Gold standard last March, this second Gold award reinforces the school’s catering excellence for its day pupils and boarding pupils.

Members of the CAP programme share a passion for raising the standards of housekeeping and catering provision in schools across the UK and Ireland. Ipswich School first engaged with the Continuous Advancement Programme in October 2016, achieving Silver status at that assessment for catering provision that addresses three school locations: the nursey, lower school and main school.

Since then, standards have risen, resulting in two consecutive Gold awards. In order to qualify for a CAP Gold Award, a school must agree to an unannounced visit from the CAP Assessment team. This commitment leaves no time for preparation, meaning that standards must remain high at all times in anticipation of the visit.

In the assessment, the CAP inspectors scrutinise every aspect of a school’s catering provision and produce a comprehensive report. In the report for Ipswich School, CAP Chief Assessor Ian Jackson noted how the catering team pulled together and worked well with the school as a whole, with a fine example being the weekly input from the catering department to the school’s newsletter, which serves to strengthen that relationship.

Jackson also commended the ‘super service’ provided by the catering team to the boarders, comprising good variety and a personal service – illustrated by themed dinners at the weekends. He reserved a special mention for the homemade Yorkshire pudding on ‘Roast Day’, suggesting that this might actually be “the best outside of Yorkshire!”

“It’s always pleasing to gain feedback from diners during these assessment visits,” explains Jackson. “Their appreciation of the catering team was of the highest order. That says so much and conveys mutual respect for a team that strives to progress week-in and week-out.”

Jackson also points out that while the assessment process is stringent and serious, there’s always room for a little levity. “I received very sensible and mature feedback from a discussion with pupils over lunch, which was overwhelmingly positive, but was most amused by one student who suggested that adding ‘beetroot sorbet’ to the menu might present a suitable challenge to the school’s caterers,” says Jackson.

Ipswich School headmaster, Nicholas Weaver, believes that the catering team’s contribution to the success of the school is immense. “They just seem to get better and better, significantly influencing the pupils’ wellbeing. I add my congratulations to all involved,” he says.