Increasing school meal uptake
Kent County Council recognises the important contribution nutritionally balanced school meals make to teaching and learning within school.
During 2008 Kent County Council in partnership with catering contractors and the Kent Healthy Schools team piloted four interventions aimed at increasing the uptake of school meals with twenty schools across the County. The aim of the pilots was to develop a better understanding of the success factors leading to an increase in the uptake of school meals.
Four interventions were tested and evaluated.
- Modernised Food Offer
- Dining Room Environment
- Partner Support Program
- Midday Supervisor Training
The pilot took place in 20 schools across the county which involved buy-in from the Head Teachers, school cooks, catering staff and midday meal supervisors in each school. Governors, teaching staff, pupils and parents were also consulted about ways to increase school meal uptake.
As a result of this project KCC has developed a best practice guide suggesting a ‘basket of initiatives’ that different schools could dip into and adapt as appropriate for their individual school.