Fuelling Young Minds – The Legacy of Margaret McMillan at Mellors

Mellors are delighted to unveil an exciting brand re-fresh across all five Priestly Academy Trust’s primary schools over summer, which has transformed mealtimes into a vibrant “World of Fun with Food”.

The new designs are aimed to captivate, engage and inspire young children with immersive characters that jump off the walls, and bring mealtimes to life, injecting excitement and adventure to every lunchtime. We ensured that our marketing not only adds to the fun but also pays tribute to the incredible work Margaret MacMillan did…

But did you know? The very first school dinners in Britain were cooked at Green Lane Primary School in Bradford, on the boilers that once heated the school’s baths. This is where the tradition of school meals began, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Margaret McMillan.

Margaret McMillan – The Trailblazer of School Dinners

Margaret McMillan, alongside her sister Rachel, was a true champion for children’s rights. Her mission was to broaden education, giving children the tools they needed to aspire to greater things. In 1892, McMillan and Dr. James Kerr conducted the first-ever medical inspections of primary school children in the in Bradford. What they discovered was alarming—overcrowding, pollution, and poverty had left children with serious health issues.

To address these problems, McMillan and Kerr recommended regular health checks, better school ventilation, and, most importantly, the introduction of free school meals. At the time, only the poorest children in workhouses received food—usually a stale bun, a banana, and watered-down milk. McMillan argued that if society required children to attend school, then it was responsible for ensuring they were fed properly too.

After years of campaigning, McMillan’s efforts bore fruit in 1906, with the passing of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act. This landmark legislation allowed local authorities to offer free school meals, with the first of these meals being cooked at Green Lane Primary School and distributed across the city.

Fuelling the Future

Today, Mellors is proud to serve nutritious, balanced meals at Green Lane Primary School, the very place where school dinners first began. Nourishing young minds continues, with a focus on fresh, wholesome food that supports children’s growth, development, and ability to learn.

Danielle Watkins, Mellors Head of Nutrition & Food Development, shares her thoughts, “It’s incredibly inspiring to be part of something that started with Margaret McMillan’s vision over a century ago. We feel honoured to fuel the future of young minds at Green Lane Primary, across Priestly Academy Trust schools and in schools over the North of England and Midlands, with meals that are fresh, tasty, and nutritionally balanced. We’re committed to helping children get the most out of their day by providing them with the best food possible, using only the finest ingredients from local suppliers.”

A Fresh Take on School Meals

Headteacher, Joanne Baxendale of Green Lane Primary said…. “The history of our school is something we are very proud of, and ensuring our children receive high quality meals remains a priority. To enable our children to thrive at school and be able to access their learning, it is imperative that we nourish their bodies, not just their minds. Without a healthy, filling lunch they simple would not be able to achieve their best at school.

“With a strong commitment to high-quality ingredients, engaging mealtimes, and the importance of good nutrition, Mellors is ensuring that children across Priestly Academy Trust’s schools have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”