This week saw the close of two Government consultations covering important issues for good lunchtimes at school.
In response to the consultation on Education capital review, we say that:
- Information about the condition of school kitchens and dining rooms from our annual survey of school lunches should be included in the central condition base being proposed. There is also a need to collect basic condition data directly from all schools
- We support the idea of a staggered survey of the estate – we have the experience and expertise to put together a kitchen and dining room audit tool to help with this
- National frameworks and expertise for contracting and buying capital equipment and maintenance can bring benefits. The recent framework agreement developed by the Food Delivery for Schools project could be used for this
- Standardised specifications for school kitchens and dining rooms could work – as long as they provide enough flexibility to adapt to local circumstances
In response to the consultation on school funding reform, we say that:
- Funding for free school meals is allocated to schools to pay for meals for eligible children – children who might not otherwise have a healthy lunch. It should only be used for this purpose
- Schools should consider using some of their Pupil Premium funding to subsidise all or some school meals; plans to make it easier for schools to offer flexible pricing and discounts will help with this (subject to the passage of the Education Bill). Nutrition for all children is one simple way to help to tackle disadvantage, giving all children the chance to meet their full potential and grow into healthier adults.
Read the full text of our responses to both consultations by downloading the documents below.
