How it works

Langford Primary is a one-form entry, multi-cultural, inner city primary school in Fulham. At Langford 60% or more children are on free school meals; approximately 50% speak English as a second language and 40% have special educational needs. There are approximately 23 different languages spoken, with Somali and Arabic being in the majority.

Headteacher Ms Anne-Louise De Buriane recalls, ‘In 2003 I took over the school and at that point 50% of the children brought packed lunches to school. Of these the majority comprised junk foods, sweets, chocolates and fizzy drinks. The afternoons were a nightmare as the behaviour of the children visibly deteriorated and fights broke out at lunchtime play and throughout the afternoons.‘

‘By the end of the summer term of 2004 we had decided to ban packed lunches and go over to healthy school lunches. These cost £1.70 a day and were designed to have fresh vegetables, no processed meats, a large choice of salads daily; fresh fruit daily and as little sugar as possible. Bread was to be brown and meals were to be well-balanced with an interesting and varied selection.’

‘We were fortunate in so far as we had a fully equipped school kitchen and an excellent school chef and I worked with the local meals service to redesign the menu. By September 2004 no-one was allowed to bring a packed lunch and we all ate the school dinners.’

Why they did it

Through banning packed lunches and simultaneously improving the quality of school meal provision, Ms De Buriane set out ‘To improve the health and welfare of the children; to educate them and their families; to improve the children’s behaviour; to make meal times a highlight of the day; to teach the children about food; to enjoy the experience; to develop social skills; to teach the parents about the importance of good eating and eventually TO IMPROVE RESULTS!’

How they did it

Before banning packed lunches and imposing universal school meals across the school, the Headteacher took the following action to smooth the transition and raise awareness.

• Education: made healthy eating and drinking part of the science and pastoral programme.

• Encourage drinking water throughout the day, including upgrading drinking fountains

• Informed parents and carers. Ran several popular ‘Eat-Ins’ where parents were invited to taste samples of all the chef’s meals. ‘Many difficult or reluctant parents were brought ‘on board’ this way and the key was the fact that the food is good and the children love it. We still invite in all those who have concerns or who ask questions about the school dinners. (Ms De Buriane)

• Run (Sainsbury’s) cooking classes for adults where adults from other cultures share their cooking expertise and learn how to cook easy healthy dishes.

• Run cooking lessons for pupils (3-11) with the focus on healthy foods.

Staffing too has played a vital role in ensuring pupils and parents support the school meals service. ‘Our Meals Supervisors are kind and empathetic and they manage and run the lunch time brilliantly. All the difficult eaters are encouraged to try everything and, slowly but surely, we have made progress with the most faddy eaters – including our Autistic children. Our Chef and kitchen staff are kind to the children and serve them accordingly. There is a nice calm atmosphere in the lunch hall and meals take time – we do NOT rush them.’ (Ms De Buriane)

The school also redecorated the dining hall in preparation of the ban and bought new tables, coloured plates, bowls and cups. ‘We made the dining room a nice place to be in and to eat in.’ (Ms De Buriane)

There was little resistance to the move to universal school meals, thanks to good planning by the chef to keep the menu ‘child friendly’. The School Council also sees the proposed new menu and makes suggestions accordingly such as milk and fruit smoothies, which they now get.

Ms De Buriane says, ‘We had absolutely no problems with our 40% low income families paying for meals because they all appreciate the fact that their children have a good midday meal. However, I must add that it has taken me some years to establish a relationship of trust and the parents do as I ask because they trust me and believe in what I say! Now that taking school meals is practice problems with parents refusing to pay just don’t arise. I tell people as they visit the school – they are informed that there is NO choice and that ALL of the children eat school dinners.’

What was the Impact?

‘Now that we have 100% uptake of school meals, we all sit down together, the school is a far happier place and the children really love lunch time. Key Stage Two have seconds and there is never anything left!
The children are doing better in school as a result and their parents are learning how important good food is for the well-being, growth and progress of their children. Our SATs results have improved and we are meeting the outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda as well as the outcomes for the Foundation Stage. There is nothing I would do differently.’

Unplanned value-added benefits

Ms De Buriane adds, ‘Developing better relationships with the parents and carers as they know how much we actually care about their children has been a real bonus.’

Contact details:
If you would like further information regarding this case study then please feel free to contact the School Food Trust on 0800 089 5001. Alternatively please feel free to email any enquiries to info@sft.gsi.gov.uk Thank you.