Ref. 28338-36THE SPIRIT of good citizenship is alive at Ridgeway School.

And to prove it, pupils cooked a mouth-watering lunch for members of the community who have supported their citizenship programmes.

Businesses help the school by offering work experience and by providing mentors, who help pupils' personal development.

Ten pupils gave up their free time at the weekend to prepare the spread.

Learning to cook is just one aspect of the school's citizenship programme, which is designed to raise pupils' awareness of life outside the Wroughton school gates.

Among the items on the menu were pheasant in red wine sauce, Caribbean chicken, tomato and pasta bake, sausage casserole and pavlova.

The pheasants were shot by a member of the school governors, and plucked by the students.

And the meal got top marks from the 30 guests.

Lynn Forrester, an environmental officer at Swindon Council, has been helping pupils with a recycling scheme.

She said: "I started off the project, which is for recycling clothes. I'm really impressed with the food, it's really tasty."

Pupil Carly Finch, 15, who helped prepare the meal, said: "I have really enjoyed the cooking, it has really boosted my confidence in the kitchen.

Heather Siebenaller, citizenship coordinator, said: "Having the support of local businesses means we can get pupils involved in many different areas.

"This was a nice way of saying a big thank you."