A whole-school approach to food

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Compliance & legislation

E-learning

28/10/2024

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At a glance

This module covers what you and your governing board must do to ensure the School Food Standards are met and exceeded.

You will cover:

the board's role and why it matters

what the school food standards are

the impact of a good school food offer

developing a policy and monitoring the offer

In partnership with the Department for Education

Study time

1 hour 30 minutes

Certificate upon completion

Module description

Governing boards have a legal duty to make sure the School Food Standards are followed, and play a key role in creating a positive whole school food culture; essential to fulfilling the board’s wider statutory duty to support the health and wellbeing of pupils.

This module, developed in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), includes four units, designed to be completed in under 1.5 hours:

Unit 1: Introduction to the governing board’s role
In this unit, we explore the governing board's role in school food provision and why it’s critical to pupil success. We cover the impact a quality school food offer has on pupils' health, wellbeing and academic performance, as well as an overview of the School Food Standards and how they guide compliance.

Unit 2: Food Provision
This unit focuses on creating a healthy, balanced school food menu that meets diverse dietary and cultural needs and promotes a positive food culture. We’ll delve into what pupils are saying about their school food experiences, emphasising the importance of listening to their feedback.

Unit 3: The Wider School Food Offer
In this unit, we explore the importance of learning about food as part of a broad and balanced curriculum and extracurricular activities, creating meaningful learning opportunities. You’ll learn to identify key stakeholders and understand their roles in the delivery of a good whole school food offer.

Unit 4: Strategic Oversight
This unit covers the governing board’s key responsibilities related to school food, as well as their wider duties and how these align with school food initiatives. We’ll take a look at what should be included in a school food policy, as well as implementing effective monitoring practices to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Each unit covers the essentials of the School Food Standards, explaining their importance and outlining what boards need to understand and implement to stay compliant and reduce barriers to learning in this area.

"The school food system is the biggest restaurant chain in the UK – which also has the vital role of fuelling the next generation on a daily basis. Imagine what could be achieved if all schools had the support and resources they need to provide every child with delicious, nutritious food. We’ve seen time and again what happens when kids are properly nourished – they focus better in class, achieve better grades, and go on to lead happier lives. It’s as simple as that.

And, dear governors and trustees, it’s in your power to make a real difference. You know what you need to do."

Jamie Oliver

Thanks to our partners

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Who developed this module?

Fiona Fearon

Policy and Projects Manager

Fiona oversees ��ƷSM��ӰƬ’s parliamentary engagement, representing the views of governors and trustees at national level and supporting them in their strategic leadership of education settings.

View Fiona's full profile