The schools we have worked with are bringing customers back into their dining rooms by making small changes to the things their students disliked. They have been successful because their changes were made based on data and knowledge rather than assumption.
The schools have showed that any changes that do not take into account the end-to-end process from a customer’s perspective, such as issues relating to staffing, the dining space or the curriculum, are unlikely to succeed.
The schools have learned it’s essential to involve all stakeholders. Everyone needs to understand why any improvement is necessary and be involved in its design and implementation.
To read our case studies please click on the links below.
St Ann’s Primary School, St Helens: increased their take up by holding a parent taster session in their school.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/rainhillstannsceschool
St Peter’s CE Primary School, Newton Le Willows, Merseyside: looked at how they could improve the over all dining experience after the students told them that the food was not the problem.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/stpetersceschool
Horton Grange Primary School, Bradford: piloted a 4 week free school meal trial targeting all year 6 pupils. In addition lunchtimes were staggered by year key stages and additional clubs were run to make staying on site at lunchtime more appealing. Following the trial nearly 80% of Year 6 pupils now stay on site at lunch time, with many choosing to take a school dinner. Overall take up of paid school meals has risen from 18% to 55%.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/hortongrangeschool
Bowling Park School in Bradford: educated their pupils on the importance of healthy eating and asked them to gather information on the school food service. Furthermore, the School Council consulted with their peers and make recommendations on how the dining space could be improved. Parents were invited into the school to try the food and comment on the quality of the service. As a result of the taster sessions more pupils in Year 5 now take a school meal.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/bowlingparkschool
Laughton Junior and Infant School, Rotherham: surveyed pupils’ to identify any problems with the school meals service. Packed lunch and school meal pupils were able to dine together. New dining tables with fixed chairs have been purchased to eliminate flow issues in the dining room. The Headteacher wrote to those families entitled to but not currently claiming free school meals.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/laughtonschool
Denbigh Community Primary School in the North Tyneside Borough of Howdon: wanted to raise awareness of the school meals service amongst both pupils and staff. A staff meeting was arranged and pupils were consulted with on how to improve lunchtimes. As a result a list of improvements has been compiled and will be implemented by the school.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/denbighschool
Our Lady and Saint Edwards Primary School, Nottingham wanted to improve the overall dining experience for their pupils by introducing a pre ordering system using wrist bands, music in the dining hall and getting feedback from the pupils.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/denbighschool
