Healthy Eating and Food in Schools

Drove Academy have provided us with the following case study that outlines their compassionate approach to healthy weight in schools. Does your school have a case study to share? Drove Primary Case Study January 2024

Food in schools

The School Food Standards: resources for schools include a checklist for Head Teachers, guidance for governors, a checklist for school food other than lunch, and more.

Healthy lunchboxes are an important part of your healthy schools work and can contribute to wider work to help reduce childhood obesity. Packed lunches are often an area of confusion for parents and teachers alike. A good starting point for developing your own school's packed lunch policy is this sample one. It should be stressed that this is only a starting point.

Work through the Whole school food policy - a strategic approach web-page guidance by the British Nutrition Foundation. This web page will enable you to develop a policy that encourages all aspects of food in school to be brought together clearly, coherently and consistently.

ProVeg UK’s School Plates programme helps school caterers to make small changes to menus that can have a big impact on children’s health and the health of the planet.

 

Free school meals (FSMs)

It is also important to promote Free School Meals to families. Many families do not know that they are eligible. Access to Free School Meals also opens doors to other services and support. More information is available on the Swindon Borough Council website

Translated materials to promote FSMs with a QR code for the Swindon Borough Council FSMs page, which Lawn Manor Academy have offered to share as an example. Note that your setting would need to revise the contact details on this to use these resources:

Arabic FSM poster

Konkani FSM poster

Kurdish language FSM poster

Pashto language FSM poster

Persian language FSM poster

Punjabi language FSM poster

Turkish language FSM poster

English language FSM poster

 

Food and nutrition resources for schools

Boy in green grocers holding peppersWhich fruits and vegetables count towards the five a day? Have a look at the NHS Five a day campaign website and download the Fuel for living recipe booklet. 

The School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) is open to all fully state-funded infant, primary or special schools. 4-6 year olds in full time education, and children in the same class can participate. If your school is not yet signed up, please contact 03306 780926 or email sfvs@supplychain.nhs.uk to apply.

The Food, a fact of life website from the British Nutrition Foundation looks at healthy eating, cooking and food skills, food and farming. It gives lots of ideas for resources and you can subscribe to a newsletter for lots of fresh ideas.

The British Nutrition Foundation's website has some useful information for teachers and others, including a specific area for children's health

The NHS Better Health programme aims to help families improve their diet, exercise and attitude to good health, see Healthier Families - Home - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Eating disorders support services and resources. 

The NHS Food Scanner App helps pupils explore what is in their food and drink and make healthier swaps.

Culturally adapted Eatwell Guides

Enfield Council and Glorious Nutrition have produced culturally adapted Eatwell Guides.

The key messages are available here.

The guides can  also be downloaded here..

 

Support and services for children and families

The Holiday Activity Food Programme runs throughout school holidays and is free for families. One of the focuses is around healthy food. Eligibility includes young carers, children in receipt of benefits related free school meals, child protection and children in need (must have a social worker working with the child) and young carers.

View the Live Well Swindon directory for details on free Healthy Eating courses for families and further local support.

Healthy Start offers parents and carers support to buy healthy food and some types of milk for eligible parents/carers of children under 4 or who are expecting a baby.. It also offers free vitamins for pregnant people and vitamin drops for infants. More information is available at www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Talking to your child about weight: A guide for parents and caregivers of children aged 4-11 years is can be found here.

 

Further national guidance

Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives

Childhood Obesity - A Plan for Action 

Childhood Obesity - A Plan for Action Chapter 2

Healthy weight, healthy futures: local government action to tackle childhood obesity

The Eatwell Guide

Do you have anything to add? If so, please contact us