All of the stakeholders that we work with believe that whole school approaches to food begin with the headteacher and senior leaders who set the culture and ethos across the whole school.
We know that head teachers are faced with many operational demands, making a whole school approach to food sometimes seem unachievable.
Our system map shows that the priorities of headteachers and senior leaders are influenced by a variety of factors such as the priorities of school governors and the degree to which school food is monitored.
Our system map shows us that the priority of headteachers and senior leaders has substantial influence over many aspects of the school food system, including the school dining experience, quality of food provision, policy and culture, and child food intake.
What you can do in your school
The cost and impact of each action was informed by an evidence based approach to estimates and the feedback of school stakeholders
Cost
Low: our stakeholders estimate this will have low financial cost
Medium: our stakeholders estimate this will incur some financial cost or time commitment
High: our stakeholders estimate this would require some financial investment
Impact
Low: our research tells us this recommendation would achieve the greatest impact if combined with other activities
Medium: our research tells us this recommendation is likely to support achievement of a whole school approach to food
High: our research tells us this recommendation will make a significant contribution to a whole school approach to food.
Ensure sufficient priority is given to child health and well-being in addition to child education
LOW
HIGH
Supporting evidence
Tie in whole school approach activities to other priorities such as environmental priorities (e.g. eating more veg, less waste, locally sourced food, meat free options, less packaged foods etc.).
LOW
HIGH
How others have done this
Lead your school’s whole school approach to food strategy alongside senior leadership team, teachers, caterers, parents and school governors
LOW
HIGH
Resources to help with this
Appoint a named school food champion(s) to monitor achievement of whole school approach to food strategy (including school council rep) - ensuring it is on the agenda of all leadership and governor meetings
MED
MED
Resources to help with this
Ensure lunch and kitchen staff are key members of the team and involve them in other areas of the school day e.g., reading to children or delivering cooking lessons
MED
HIGH
Resources to help with this
Monitor uptake of school meals and encourage uptake from all children and consider making school meals compulsory for new school year intakes
LOW
HIGH
Supporting evidence