Chartwells on the menu at schools on the Isle of Wight

School and education catering specialist, Chartwells, has been awarded a three-year contract with Isle of Wight Schools to provide nutritious meals to children and young people across the Island from September 2026.

The contract will see Chartwells serving over 4,000 meals a day to primary school pupils and provide catering to 3,000 secondary and sixth form students across the Isle of Wight. The partnership is underpinned by a dedicated Social Value Action Plan designed specifically for the local community. Under the agreement, 100 per cent of all food purchasing will be through Island-based suppliers, including Island Foods and Medina, ensuring investment stays within the local economy and supports the Island’s food ecosystem where possible.

Chartwells’ offer includes freshly prepared two-course meals that meet School Food Standards, a rolling three-week menu, and tailored allergen-managed menus overseen by specialist nutrition teams. Primary pupils will enjoy classic favourites like mac and cheese, while an exciting grab and go option will be added for secondary students to meet the eating habits of students. Sixth form menus will reflect the high street to align with trending tastes. Well-loved dishes like fish and chips served with peas will continue to be served across all stages, ensuring pupils are engaged with meals they genuinely enjoy.

Two new roles have been introduced: Chef Ambassador, focused on engaging the community around food; and Medical Diet Coordinator, created in response to rising demand for allergen-centred menus. To support its teams, Chartwells provides an employee wellbeing programme and career pathway opportunities including apprenticeships.

Lisa Priestley, Managing Director of Chartwells Schools, commented: “We are honoured to have been selected to provide catering services for the Isle of Wight’s schools.

“This is a real testament to our industry leading offering and our ability to adapt for specific regions, ensuring we are working with local suppliers, creating bespoke a Social Value Action Plan to enrich people’s lives, and become a valued part of the community. 

“Through our farm to table concept, schools can trust that we will be delivering high-quality, inclusive and nutritious meals for every pupil. We are constantly updating our offering so that students are engaged with meals that excite them.

“We are looking forward to getting started and becoming a valued member of the community.”

The partnership will also see sustainability initiatives highlighted across the Island’s schools. Chartwells brings low carbon and carbon labelling on menus, student education on sustainable food choices, and climate training to deliver resource efficient operations – all designed to reduce the contracts’ carbon footprint.