A SCHOOL kitchen had to be shut temporarily after the company running it was slated for food hygiene and safety, it has been revealed.

Fresh Start, which provides school meals for students and staff at the Grange Primary School, in Cherwell Heights, Banbury, was given just a one star award out of a possible five stars for the school kitchen following a Cherwell District Council inspection.

Hygiene experts from the authority shut down the kitchen overnight while problems were dealt with.

Fresh Start was rated “poor” for food safety and hygiene, “bad” for structural compliance and confidence in management was graded as “little”.

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Headteacher Bev Boswell insisted she had been satisfied with the food provision at the school since Fresh Start were appointed as caterers in June.

She said inspectors returned two weeks after the initial visit and were satisfied with progress made, although the school could not be officially re-graded for another year.

Mrs Boswell said: “I’m absolutely happy with the meal provision and the health and safety of that kitchen.

“It was a blip, I’ve got no concerns. That kitchen is absolutely spotless.”

She did admit there had been some “problems with staffing,” but would not reveal further details.

Katie Dunne, representing Fresh Start, said: “Previous to this inspection The Grange Primary School kitchen had enjoyed a food hygiene rating of five for 18 months.

“Now under new leadership, the kitchen is back performing at its previously high level and a top rating is widely anticipated when the kitchen is re-evaluated in January 2015.”

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