Shock as prestigious Belfast school is given food hygiene rating of just one
ONE of Belfast’s most prestigious schools has been given a food hygiene rating of one, it has emerged.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) has been based in the centre of the city for more than 200 years.
Famous alumni include John Miller Andrew, Northern Ireland’s second prime minister, the poet Michael Longley and broadcaster Stephen Nolan.
Food safety inspectors from Belfast City Council recently visited RBAI for an inspection.
The school was given a rating of one, meaning “major improvement necessary” by the council in March.
In the areas of ‘hygienic food handling’ and ‘cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’ at RBAI, inspectors deemed these ‘good’, but in the area of ‘management of food safety’ they found major improvement was necessary.
Management of food safety relates to: “System or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.”
RBAI has been contacted for comment.
In terms of the school’s hygienic food handling and cleanliness, the report by the council stated its ‘good’ rating found a “high standard of compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice, minor contraventions of food hygiene regulations”.
“Some minor non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recomraised mended practice,” it added.
The school first opened on February 1, 1814, as Belfast Academical Institution. It was granted a royal title in 1831 by King William IV.
On RBAI’S website, the school’s ethos reads: “RBAI is committed to realistic and robust self-evaluation, as an integral tool, in a School improvement strategy which leads to standards of teaching for learning for each pupil.
“This is alongside outstanding pastoral support to enable each student to develop academically, emotionally, personally and socially through active and challenging learning experiences.
“The agreed priorities of the School Development Plan and Department Development Plans reinforce and restate what makes us successful and what will continue to provide excellent opportunities for our pupils.”
Late last year RBAI, which has 1,100 pupils, unveiled plans for a major redevelopment of its campus.
The plans would see 15 new classrooms, a multi-purpose dining hall, a drama suite and new swimming pool on the site.
Principal Janet Williamson said when the plans were announced: “RBAI has a unique history educating young people in Belfast city centre, and we are excited about the opportunities that our plans will deliver for our pupils, as we work to secure the long-term future of our historic buildings and site.
“With space limited on our site and with some facilities no longer meeting Department of Education standards, the delivery of much-needed modern facilities will ensure the long-term provision of positive learning experiences which is critical to the growth and mental health and well-being of our pupils.”
Back in March RBAI celebrated winning the much-watched School’s Cup Final, defeating Ballymena Academy 21-14 in a thrilling encounter.
The victory came after RBAI lifted the trophy last year when they overcame Campbell College.