FOOD POLICY

Aim

·  This policy covers all aspects of food and nutrition in our school. It aims to promote the health and well-being of our pupils, staff and visitors.

·  Throughout the policy, the term "food and drink" should be taken to include all food prepared or sold in school. This includes school lunches and playtime snacks.

Objectives

·  To ensure that all food and drink consumed on the premises promotes health and well-being

·  To ensure that pupils are given accurate, practical and relevant information about food and drink, both as part of the curriculum and through wider school activities such as clubs

·  To provide support and guidance for pupils who may develop problem behaviours around food and drink

How will we achieve our objectives?

1. Ensure that food and drink consumed on the premises promotes food health and well-being

We will:

·  Work with the catering contractor to ensure that all food in our school consistently meets or exceeds the requirements of the regulatory requirements

·  Use regular consultation with pupils to involve them in menu development and the choices they are offered (e.g. through surveys, School Council etc.)

·  Provide regular updates for parents/carers so they are informed of the standard of food provided in school. Parents new to the school will be offered the chance to come in and join a taster session

·  Our dining area will be kept clean and hygienic and we will take steps to promote it as a pleasant place in which to eat

·  All pupils in Key Stage 1 and Foundation Stage are provided with a daily fruit or vegetable snack

·  Pupils entitled to free school meals (not universal free school meals) are offered milk at break time; other pupils can pay to have milk

·  We ask that all parents in the EYFS and KS1 take up the universal Free School Meal offer

·  We encourage the take-up of free school meals and ensure that there is no discrimination or stigma attached to this benefit

·  Children have access to drinking water in all classrooms. There are drinking fountains providing water at playtimes

2. Ensure that pupils are given accurate, practical and relevant information about food and drink as part of the curriculum and through wider school activities

We will:

·  Review our curriculum regularly to ensure that information relating to food and nutrition is accurate and up-to-date

·  Ensure that pupils are given to opportunity to learn some practical cooking skills and basic food hygiene

·  Ensure that pupils are taught about nutrition and the requirements of a healthy diet through the science curriculum

·  Ensure that pupils are taught about food in a variety of other subject areas e.g. how and where food is grown (geography); how food used to be cooked and stored (history).

3. Provide support for pupils who may develop problem behaviours around food and drink

We recognise that there is enormous pressure on children to conform to various ideas around body image. These can lead to the development of health problems such as eating disorders. There is also a risk that children who are underweight or overweight may be the target of bullying.

All members of staff are aware of steps to take should they have any concerns regarding pupils e.g. liaison with the Home School Support Worker, the parents, SENCO, referral to the School Nurse.

Staff will challenge any stigmatising of those who may have weight problems. Through PSHE, children will be helped to feel good about themselves and to resist pressure to conform to images and messages from the media.

We recognise the importance of developing a balanced attitude towards food. Through PSHE, science and our work with the Healthy Schools Standard, children will be taught that some foods present a health risk if they are eaten too often. They will be taught the importance of making healthy choices. Foods that are less healthy will be offered occasionally as treats or part of e.g. Christmas or birthday celebrations.

Children will be encouraged to prepare and taste their produce. There is a daily snack bar in the Foundation Stage where children are encouraged to make healthy food choices, to prepare food independently and to clear up after themselves.

Our catering contractor will be working with the school on a project to produce our own fruit and vegetables in the school garden.

Food brought from home

At Halling School, we ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:

·  Parents are asked not to include chocolate, sweets or fizzy drinks in lunch boxes

·  Only fruit or vegetables are acceptable as snacks at play time

·  Crisps should be low-fat/low salt

·  Due to the risk of severe allergy, nuts (including peanut butter) must not be brought into school

See Medway leaflet: "What Makes a Healthy Packed Lunch for Your Child" for ideas and suggestions on other foods that can be included.

All children are allowed to drink water and visit the lavatory at any time during the school day.

Monitoring and evaluation

The effectiveness of this policy will be reviewed through consultation with pupils, staff and parents via school newsletters, surveys, School Council etc. Regular consultation will take place with the catering contractor.

The person with overall responsibility for food at Halling School is Wendy Donnelly, The Head teacher

This policy was agreed in a Policy Review meeting held in October 2017 and will be reviewed in 24 months.

Signed on behalf of Halling Primary School: ______

Signed on behalf of Governing Body: ______

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