CITY schools and nurseries have vowed to up standards in their kitchens after receiving just three out of five points in food hygiene inspections.
Two schools and two nurseries were given the mediocre rating after inspections by Nottingham City Council's food and health safety team.
They are Bluecoat Academy, Aspley; Iona School, Sneinton Dale; the Paper Moon nursery, in Lenton; and Sunrise Nurseries, Alfreton Road, Radford.
Inspectors found the kitchen at Bluecoat had no separate work surfaces for raw and cooked foods, a kitchen fridge thermometer was broken, a wall was flaking paint and kitchen skylights were dirty.
The academy scored three out of five for food hygiene. Inspectors will return to check that recommendations are followed.
Bluecoat's head teacher, Sian Hampton, said the academy had made the recommended changes and expected full marks in the next inspection.
At Iona School, inspectors found dust build-ups in ventilation and light fittings, chopping boards were damaged and food safety records haphazard.
The report noted records had "lapsed altogether since September 2012".
Once again, inspectors are returning in two months to check recommendations have been carried out.
Two nurseries were also given hygiene ratings of three points.
The kitchen and staff room at Paper Moon nursery, Faraday Road, Lenton, had several faults, such as sandwiches containing "tuna, egg and other high risk fillings" left out all afternoon, a probe thermometer not being disinfected before use and a kitchen ceiling dirty and stained above the oven.
The nursery was given two months to carry out changes.
Manager Tanya Draper said: "We are making the changes needed, such as ensuring the children have vegetarian cutlery if they need it.
"We now make all our own sandwiches on site at teatime. We haven't had a return visit from inspectors yet but we are doing our best to make the improvements."
Sunrise Nurseries was also given three points, having only one kitchen sink – two are needed, one for hand washing and one for equipment.
Another fault was a carpet in the kitchen which "will harbour dirt and can't be cleaned properly", the inspectors said.
The nursery was also criticised for damaged paint on the kitchen ceiling and inadequate documentation about possible food safety hazards and things that must be checked to ensure food is safe on site.
The Post asked Iona school and Sunrise Nurseries to respond but neither did so.
A city council spokesman said: "Inspections of food premises and food is a statutory duty required by the Food Standards Agency.
"The frequency of inspection depends on a risk assessment for each business, taking in to account the type of food business and how well they comply."
What do you think about the food hygiene of your child's school? Get in touch at opinion@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.
