Education

Thomas Franks is the catering partner of choice for more than 200 independent schools in the UK and around the world. Food is the currency of any happy school and we work collaboratively with clients to meet the needs of their school communities. Our offer is inspired by the needs of each school, and our highly skilled chefs leveraged locally sourced, fresh ingredients to cook exceptional meals.

We are proud to support prep, senior, day and boarding schools. Whilst each client is different, they are all united by a shared love of great food, a desire to support independent local businesses, and a commitment to sustainability. Our chef teams respond to the needs, wants and desires of students, and play an active role in championing pupil voice.

PRE-PREP & NURSERY

We curate menus that help to nurture healthy eating habits from an early age. Meals are designed to be nutritious and engaging with colourful presentation and age-appropriate portion sizes. We introduce children to a variety of foods, encouraging exploration, and accommodating individual dietary needs. Allergen awareness is paramount with strict protocols in place to ensure the safety of every child. Nutritional support extends to educating staff and parents about balanced diets and promoting healthy snacking alternatives.

PREP SCHOOLS

We tailor our food services to meet the evolving needs of growing children. Menus are thoughtfully curated to provide balanced meals that fuel young minds and bodies for academic and extracurricular activities. The focus is on offering wholesome, familiar dishes with occasional culinary adventures to expand young palates. Nutritional support includes guidance on portion control and mindful eating habits.

SENIOR SCHOOLS

We develop menus to meet the evolving needs of older children. Nutritious meals are supplemented by healthy grab-and-go options to ensure everyone can eat in a way that suits them. Sixth Form café spaces are a unique proposition with customisable menus aligned to the ethos of the school. We offer specialist support for elite performance athletes where appropriate. Nutritional support extends beyond the restaurant, with educational initiatives promoting lifelong wellness habits and responsible food choices.

BOARDING SCHOOLS

We work hard to create a home-away-from-home dining experience for boarding school students. We are renowned for serving hearty, healthy dishes that students know and love, and we host regular themed days to ensure that international students get a regular taste of home. In recent years, we have significantly increased the number of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and offer specific support for elite athletes. Our Operational Team ensures that every school has a distinctive culinary identity and that the relevant infrastructure is in place to support centralised and boarding house dining.