Background Information
Horton Grange Primary School is situated in central Bradford and has an ethically diverse population (approximately 75% Pakistani, 13% Indian, 13% other Ethnic Groups mostly Eastern European).The school currently has 686 pupils on roll. At the start of September 2009 take up of schools meals was low with only 18 % of pupils paying for a school meal. Only 47% of pupils entitled to a free school meal (FSM) were claiming their entitlement. The school shares a dining facility with Farnham Primary School and between the schools more than 1000 pupils are processed through the canteen during lunchtimes.
Small Step Improvement Programme
The Million Meals School Engagement Team from the Trust has been running a Small Step Improvements (SSI) programme within 3 Local Authorities. They approached Bradford Local Authority to see if they would like to engage in the SSI program to encourage schools to improve their catering provision and increase take up. Bradford sent out invitations to all local schools encouraging them to sign up to the programme. Horton Grange Primary School expressed an interest in getting involved. For full details click the link below.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/ssi
Small Step Improvements is about making small low cost, or no cost improvements to the catering provision, that could benefit the whole school. The programme engages key players within the school team; including a member of the kitchen staff and the schools’ leadership team. Using a continual improvement process known as ‘Plan, Do, Study, Act’ (PDSA) the school’s team collect data to show how the process currently works, identify where improvements can be made and then trial different interventions. The data collected will eventually show whether an improvement has worked or not. Often the improvements bring some astonishing results including an increase in take up.
Why did the school want to get involved in the program?
Mr Jacques analysed the school’s performance data and discovered that those pupils who went home for dinners were the lowest performing group academically.
Horton Grange Primary School therefore wanted to increase their level of school meal take up particularly with the year 6 pupils. Previously the majority of year 6 pupils had been going home at lunchtimes. Initially the take up for year 6 was only 20% with only 27% of pupils entitled to a free school meal (FSM) claiming their entitlement.
The school also felt that an increase in take up may have a positive impact on:
- Raising standards in core subjects
- Raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating amongst pupils
- Raising attendance levels and punctuality measures (particularly after lunchtime when children sometimes failed to return or were late).
What improvements did the school make?
The school piloted a 4 week free school meal trial targeting all year 6 pupils. Pupils were encouraged to stay on site over the lunch period and try a free school meal. Furthermore, Horton Grange Primary School and Farnham Primary School added an extension to the dining area which has increased the seating capacity by a further 300 seats.
Original dining facilities:
New Extension
The extension enabled pupils from both the schools to dine at the same time. Previously lunch periods were lengthy (11.30 am – 1.30 pm), to enable all the pupils from both the school sites to have their meals. Horton Grange Primary School has also introduced a number of activities to encourage pupils to stay on site at lunchtime. The school have provided additional playground equipment and increased staffing levels. Lunchtimes have been staggered by year groups (KS1 and KS2). This has helped to relieve pressures on the dining room. Some information relating to home dinners has also been removed from the school literature.
What have been the benefits to the school?
Nearly 80% of Year 6 pupils now stay on site at lunch time, with many choosing to take a school dinner. The school monitored the level of take up before the FSM trial, during the FSM trial and after the FSM trial. After the trial the number of school meals being served has risen to approximately 300 – 320 meals per day. Around 55% of pupils are taking a paid school meal and 66% of pupils entitled are claiming a FSM.
Pupils at Horton Grange Primary School have demonstrated an increased awareness of healthy eating since the improvements have been made. Following requests from pupils the school council now meets with the Primary Facilities Management to discuss issues around school meals.
Tips for success:
Increasing the uptake of dinners has required a whole school approach. All our staff encourage their classes to stay in school at lunchtime. If parents have any concerns we encourage them to come and try the school food.
Resources:
Mr Jacques commented “The resources and support provided by the School Food Trust have been invaluable”.
Future priorities:
Horton Grange Primary School is continuing to try to make lunchtimes a key part of their educational offer.
Mr Jacques Head Teacher commented “Now we have more of our children staying in school we must now try to convert packed lunches into school meals and challenge the problems of unhealthy lunchbox contents.”
Contact details:
If you would like further information then please contact the Trust on 0800 089 5001 or alternatively please email info@childrensfoodtrust.org.uk
