Healthy Eating

In Gloucestershire we believe that it is essential that our children are educated, encouraged and enabled to make healthy choices around food and drink; the food a child eats at school accounts for a third of their nutritional intake in a day, so it is important that what is provided in school or is brought in, is nutritious and balanced. Schools in Gloucestershire support this ethos – most schools in Gloucestershire operate a fruit or vegetable only snacktime policy, with many having a packed lunch policy and nearly all advocating the regular consumption of water throughout the school day.

Schools are supported to do this in a number of ways; through training for staff – ensuring that policy is reflected into practice, the provision of teaching resources and through sessions for children and young people as well as parents.

GHLL have been involved in a number of initiatives around food, including work with the Gloucester Rugby Club on a resource called ‘Jumpstart’ which aims to encourage children to think beyond the ‘5 a day’ message and consider the effect of food on both their bodies and brains. A whole school food overview with progressive key questions for Years 1 to 6, which covers Diet and Health, Food Production, Social and Emotional Aspects of Food, Cookery Skills and Food Safety has been developed.

A new post, “How we are ensuring thousands of children receive a healthy, nutritious breakfast.” has just been published on the The Education Hub blog.

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast is important regardless of your age – but for children eating a nutritious meal before school it’s vital. Breakfast Clubs in schools make sure that children who attend them get a healthy breakfast …

Read the new post: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/24/how-we-are-ensuring-thousands-of-children-receive-a-healthy-nutritious-breakfast/

The Department for Education has published its response to the consultation on updating School Food Standards in England. This follows extensive engagement with schools, trusts, local authorities, parents, pupils, caterers and health experts to make sure we get this right.

We are updating the School Food Standards to help ensure every child has access to healthy, nutritious food throughout the school day.The revised standards build on the excellent work already happening in schools and follows significant and ongoing engagement with schools, trusts, local authorities, parents, pupils, caterers and health experts. 

The updated standards will see more fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and nutritious balanced meals on the menu that help children stay focused, energised and ready to learn throughout the school day.  

We know you will need time and support to make these changes. We will continue to work closely with schools, caterers and sector partners to help you prepare.  

Most of the changes will come into effect in September 2027, with some requirements for secondary schools phased in from September 2028.  

The new standards place greater emphasis on fruit, vegetables, fibre and a wider range of healthy protein sources, alongside stronger restrictions on free sugars, sweeteners, foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, and processed meat. 

The revised standards will: 

• introduce dedicated breakfast standards, to ensure a healthy, lower sugar and higher fibre offer in line with the rest of the school day; 

• strengthen fruit and vegetable requirements across the school day, including requiring fruit or vegetables with starters and desserts, and requiring all main items to contain or be served with vegetables or salad; 

• strengthen fibre requirements, including on bread and wholegrains, while retaining flexibility for schools and caterers; 

• require all main items to contain a protein source and broaden recognised protein options; 

• provide an updated list of permitted drinks, continued access to free drinking water and measures to support healthier choices across the school day; and 

• phase some secondary requirements, including changes relating to healthier drinks, cheese, and pulses, to support deliverability, procurement planning, and meal uptake. 

For more detail, please see the full consultation response document. Sign in to GOV.UK - GOV.UK Signon