A NEW-style kitchen – and two cartoon characters – are helping children at a Forest school eat and live healthily.

The Olive Tree at St John’s Church of England Academy in Coleford was officially opened by Forest MP Mark Harper last Friday (January 29).

The logo for the new kitchen and the characters Olive and Oliver were designed by local artist Rachel Shilston.

Headteacher Jan Wag­staff said: “It is a new, exciting project for the school.

“Last year an average of 90 daily school lunches were prepared – the average for this school year has risen to 129.”

Mrs Wagstaff paid tribute to catering manager Lisa Tootell, the rest of the kitchen staff and everyone who has been involved in the project – parents helped install parts of the new facility.

As well as preparing breakfast, play-time snacks and lunches there are a number of events planned for the year.

They include an upside down day on February 29 when the children will have breakfast for lunch and afternoon tea for morning break.

Mrs Tootell runs cookery lessons for all pupils and there is a new after-school club where children can taste new foods, prepare menus and cook healthy meals.

Mr Harper said: “It’s a huge achievement which the school can be proud of with such excellent facilities.

“I’ve met with students who talked to all (pupils) and listened to (their) ideas not just about the food but how (they) would like the Olive Tree to operate.”