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Chartwells Independent, part of the education catering sector of Compass UK & Ireland, has retained its catering contract with Berkhamsted Schools Group, a family of six leading independent schools and a nursery in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The renewed deal builds on a successful partnership which began in 2019, and will see Chartwells Independent continuing to provide nutritious school meals to over 2,700 pupils and staff aged five months to 19 years for a further six years.
Over the past five years Chartwells Independent has introduced a range of exciting food concepts and innovations at Berkhamsted. These include the launch of catering van Big Blue for pop up occasions around the Berkhamsted estate, working with boarding international pupils to introduce ‘home away from home’ dishes, and playing a pivotal role in establishing Berkhamsted’s new sixth form in April 2025, delivering a vibrant street food-style offer.
Through Chartwells Independent’s Beyond the Chartwells Kitchen programme, pupils also benefit from interactive workshops designed to instil lifelong healthy habits and educate on nutrition, food waste, and sustainability. For younger pupils, initiatives like Try it Thursdays encourage curiosity and confidence with new foods, with pupils collecting stamps and winning stickers for trying new dishes.
With sport playing a central role at the schools, Berkhamsted’s athletes can also access Sports Nutrition & Performance Programme (SNAPP) workshops to learn about the relationship between their food choices and sports performance.
Additionally, Chartwells Independent supports the school with catering for a wide range of occasions, including sporting events, buffets for sixth form leavers, breakfasts for external guests, and even weddings.
Looking ahead, Chartwells Independent will be launching the sixth form’s new café space in line with feedback from pupils. Change Please coffee will be introduced, after being selected by pupils as their supplier of choice for the brand’s strong social value principles.
Noelle Jones, Managing Director at Chartwells Independent, said: “We’re proud to be extending our long-standing partnership with Berkhamsted Schools Group. Our renewed contract is a nod to how we’ve built a truly collaborative relationship focused on delivering an outstanding dining experience for pupils – one that not only provides nutritious, great-tasting food, but also helps them develop a lifelong understanding of healthy eating and sustainability.
“Our role goes far beyond the kitchen; it’s about supporting the whole school community through food education, innovation, and consistently high standards. We’re excited to continue working with Berkhamsted’s team and pupils to evolve the food experience in the years ahead.”
