Youngsters at Brentwood County High found their healthy eating habits being featured on national television on Monday when ITV news teams dropped into the school.

The school appeared on both GMTV and ITN's evening news bulletin with head teacher Carol Mason explaining the school's approach and its decision to replace its fizzy drinks vending machine with one offering fruit juice and water.

She said: "We have been engaging for a long time with the idea of having healthy options available to pupils and we have a whole range of things like salads and fruits available through our canteen.

"The idea of changing the vending machine came from a member of staff. They had observed that pupils were noticably less attentive and less constructive in lessons after they had been drinking fizzy drinks at break and lunchtime. As a result we felt it was worth changing."

Brentwood County High's decision coincides with a new £2m initiative announced by the government this week aimed at promoting healthy eating in schools.

Published Tuesday January 13, 2004

Brought to you by the Brentwood Gazette