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Ofsted highlights measures that can encourage more children to eat schools meals

03 Oct 2007

Ofsted has made a series of recommendations to help schools reverse the decline in the number of pupils eating school meals.

Inspectors found that the number of pupils eating school meals had fallen in 19 out of 27 schools visited for a new report, Food in schools: encouraging healthy eating.

The reasons for the decline were complex but included a lack of consultation with parents and pupils about the new arrangements for healthy school meals, poor marketing of new menus and a lack of choice in what was offered.

Ofsted recommends that schools should involve pupils closely in developing school menus and in exploring a wider range of food. Dining areas should be attractive and well organised as long queues and insufficient areas for socialising also discouraged pupils.

Schools should ensure that the cost and methods of paying for school meals do not discourage children from low income families or those entitled to free school meals. Inspectors found that high costs for low income families not eligible for free school meals were also a deterrent and in some cases pupils entitled to free school meals chose not to take them because the methods of paying for them singled them out. Today’s report highlights how cashless catering systems and other initiatives can make a difference.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Christine Gilbert, said:

“Schools that had the most impact in encouraging healthy choices were those which gave a priority to this as part of their day-to-day work. They encourage the involvement of pupils themselves in designing school menus, for example, and worked hard to make their families understand the importance of healthy schools.”

Inspectors found that all 27 schools visited for the report were meeting the interim food standards introduced in September 2006. Ahead of the new standards introduced at the start of the September 2007 term, which apply to other foods also available in schools, most schools visited had either removed or were awaiting removal of vending machines that had previously dispensed unhealthy confectionery. The breakfast clubs and tuck shops visited were already providing a range of healthy foods.

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