Cordia Brings a Touch of Cafe Culture to a Glasgow School

Glasgow's first in-school cafe for pupils was launched at Knightswood Secondary School last week by catering provider Cordia.

Named Scholars' cafe following a pupil competition at the west end-based secondary, the latest edition to Cordia's school catering facilities was officially opened by the organisation's chair, councillor Jim Mackechnie.

Scholars' cafe will feature a full range of sophisticated beverages including coffees, teas, cappuccinos, lattes and mochaccinos, all served in a relaxed environment featuring plush leather sofas and dining bars with stools.

The cafe, which is adjacent to the school's main Fuel Zone area, will also serve tasty Cordia-produced hot and cold foods which meet Scottish Government legislation on nutrition.

Scholars' cafe was developed by Cordia, Glasgow City Councils school catering provider to offer pupils a greater choice in the drinks and snacks they can buy within the ground of Knightswood Secondary.

It is hoped the introduction of the city's first in-school will help offer healthier food alternatives to high street snack vans, fast food outlets and chip shops.

Scholars' cafe will also give pupils a further option to eating in the main Fuel Zone area and reduce the number of pupils leaving the school's premises during their breaks.

The official launch of the cafe follows on from the success of Cordia's Holyrood Hut exterior food kiosk, which was opened at Holyrood Secondary in September.

Julia McCreadie, Cordia's Operations Manager, said, "like the Holyrood Hut before it, the Scholars' cafe is yet another example of the work and consultation carried out by Cordia to ensure the city's pupils are given a greater degree of choice in their schools.

"Scholars' cafe is one of many new initiatives Cordia has introduced in recent years to make Fuel Zone school catering more appealing to Glasgow's pupils while ensuring the food being sold is both nutritious and popular.

"The cafe offers pupils an informal, relaxed outlet where they can meet with their friends and chat over a coffee in the same way they probably would outside the school hours."

Pupils at Knightswood Secondary, one of the biggest schools in the city, were also involved in the design of the cafe which was originally used as a queuing area for the Fuel Zone.

Cordia also brought in graffiti artists Shaun O'hagan, Riz Harcus and David Knox to help brighten up the area and add a modern twist to Scholars Cafe.

Art teacher Ian Gallacher, and some pupils, gave up part of their October week holidays to help the graffiti artists with a giant mural featuring the cafe's name,

Bailie Jean Mcfadden, Executive member for Educations, said "Any new initiative that encourages young people to stay in the school grounds during break and lunchtimes is something that I will always support."

"Glasgow has an excellent reputation for innovative ideas when it comes to school meals and I know that the new cafe at Knightswood Secondary will be welcomed by pupils and staff at the school."

The Scholars' cafe is just one of the number of initiatives launched by Cordia to introduce a more flexible approach to Fuel Zone school catering.

All of Glasgow's 30 secondary schools have now introduced one or more new catering concepts following consultation with pupils. These include mobile counters, snack and brand "vendbanks" and fixed coffee bars.

The changes have sparked up to a 20% increase within some schools and given pupils an alternative to leaving school grounds to buy food.

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