Case Study 2: Laleham Gap Primary School

Laleham Gap Primary School is the primary section of Kent’s specialist provision for high functioning pupils aged 4-16 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and, or Speech and Language disorders. This school applied for a Canteen Rescue grant because their canteen is small and awkwardly proportioned.

Their dining room is small and there is not enough space for everyone. They have to have some tables outside the dining room in the hallway. And the extra tables were on carpet, which is not hygienic, and it meant the children who sat there were unintentionally excluded from the dining room. The Canteen Rescue grant has enabled them to have all the children eating together and still cater for their individual needs.

They have extended the canteen by transforming the room next door, which was an unused porch. There is still one table in the hallway, but the three areas flow together and they have got new, hygienic flooring that goes through the whole space. They also changed the room colors to blue and lilac to create the whole peace and quiet atmosphere.

 Laleham Gap Primary School canteen after renovation

Source: Children's Food Trust. Laleham Gap Primary School's Canteen Rescue story. Created 2014. Accessed 26 April. 2014. <http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/case-studies/laleham-gap>