Healthy Food in Schools
Lynette Jones from Wyre Forest DC explains how the results of two pilot lunchbox surveys at local schools led to a bespoke ‘healthy food’ package being delivered to a total of six schools in the area through the local strategic partnership Wyre Forest Matters. This initiative was a Food Standards Agency ‘Food and Nutrition Grant’ winner in 2005 – 2006.
Project Title: Healthy Food in Schools
Project Date: June 2005 – March 2006
Project Aims and Objectives: The aim of the project was to offer bespoke packages of interventions on healthy eating and hygiene to schools, in order that the package could be tailored to the needs of the school. The specific aims and objectives therefore varied according to the elements of the package chosen, but included encouraging children to eat less fatty and sugary foods, educating parents about healthy lunchboxes and including healthier options in school meal provision. The project also aimed to support schools in the healthy eating and safety components of the National Healthy Schools Standard.
Organisations Involved:
The project was co-ordinated by Wyre Forest District Council in partnership with Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust. It assisted in delivering the commitment of ‘Wyre Forest Matters’, a partnership of local public agencies, community and voluntary groups and local businesses, who are committed to improving the quality of life for communities in Wyre Forest.
Target Group:
Partnerships were secured with 3 middle schools and 3 first schools, with a high proportion (more than 20%) of pupils receiving free school meals. Within these schools, the target groups included children, parents, school staff and school caterers.
Methodology:
A pilot project was carried out at a village primary school, which was in a more affluent catchment area than those involved in the bid. The pilot comprised of two lunchbox surveys (one in June and one in October), which showed that pupils lunchboxes had higher than recommended amounts of fatty and sugary foods and lower than recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables, on both occasions. This confirmed the need for the intervention.
A Healthy Food in Schools Co-ordinator was appointed to run the project. The co-ordinator managed all aspects of the programme from making contact with schools to devising and delivering the activities and liaising with other professionals such as colleagues from Environmental Health.
Following recruitment of the six schools, an initial meeting was held with the Headteacher of each. At this meeting the needs of the school were established in order that a bespoke package of interventions could be arranged. Activities included;
- Hygiene workshops for pupils delivered by Environmental Health Officers or the Healthy Food in Schools Co-ordinator
- Healthy eating workshops for pupils
- Work with support staff in schools to allow them to deliver practical cookery sessions to pupils
- Surveys and workshops with parents about healthy lunchboxes
- An opportunity for caterers to renew or receive a Heartbeat Award which recognises good hygiene and healthy food choices
- Foundation level food hygiene training for any relevant school staff delivered by Wyre Forest DC
- Assemblies to launch initiatives to schools
- Development of existing schemes to reward healthy food choices
Funding:
Funding for the project was via a grant from the Food Standards Agency of £10,000. The nature of the grant funding means that the project is now coming to an end. Schools were not charged to participate in the project – they were actually rewarded with cash awards at the end of the initiative, which it is hoped will be used to continue delivery of the Healthy Food in Schools programme.
Recruitment:
Several schools were identified within the Wyre Forest area that met the criteria for number of pupils receiving free school meals. A small number of schools had already been involved with healthy eating projects and did not wish to participate at this time. Also, there is an area wide education review at present which will change the system in Wyre Forest from three to two tiers. This has impacted on many schools with some facing permanent closure at the end of July 2007. Despite these difficulties, it was relatively easy to recruit six schools.
Management & Staffing:
A Healthy Schools Co-ordinator was appointed to run the project on a contract of two days per week for five months. The Co-ordinator was a practicing Food Technology Teacher so no additional training was required.
Other resources:
Wyre Forest DC provided office space, a computer and telephone and administration and support services that were essential to the smooth operation of the project. All teaching resources were available on the internet from sites such as the British Nutrition Foundation and the Food Standards Agency website.
Evaluation:
- All 6 schools were keen to participate in the initiative, as the interventions could be used as evidence for the Healthy Schools Award.
- 120 pupils received 1 hour hygiene workshops.
- 617 pupils took part in lunch surveys or healthy eating lessons
- 8 teaching assistants/lunchtime supervisors trained to deliver nutrition messages
- 92 parents were reached by newsletters, surveys, workshops
- 1315 pupils in schools agreeing to go for Hearbeat Award for their catering operations
- 27 school staff recruited for hygiene training
- Offering bespoke packages meant that interventions could be targeted most effectively.
- Some pupils were keen to choose healthy lunches, but many preferred fatty and sugary items.
- Younger primary school children were most receptive to eating fruit and vegetables, possibly as a result of the Schools Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
- The ‘5 a Day’ message is understood by some children, but this needs to be combined with an emphasis on consumption of less fatty and sugary items. Many children were consuming at least 3 fatty and/or sugary items in their lunch alone.
- The pilot study showed that children from more affluent areas are just as likely to be over consuming fatty and sugary foods as those from deprived areas.
- Hygiene workshops for pupils were well received. All children were able to participate and recall information effectively.
- Practical cookery workshops were also popular. Parents of children who attended cookery club reported increased enthusiasm for healthy eating in all family members.
- Twenty two adults have attended or will attend Foundation Food Hygiene Training as a result of the project.
- One school will receive the Heartbeat Award as a result of this project. Others are keen to reapply when the Wyre Forest Review has determined which kitchens will remain open and Worcestershire County Council can address structural issues.
- Caterers have been helpful and have responded to school requests to develop healthier options for both paid and free school meals.
Lessons Learnt:
- Initially, it was difficult to recruit a co-ordinator. Two people were appointed on a job share basis but resigned before taking up the post. A replacement was found but they could not start work on the project until the end of October. However, this was turned to an advantage as we were able to capitalise on healthy living resolutions made for the New Year (when the main field work was carried out).
- Parents workshops had a successful impact although it proved difficult to reach parents for a variety of reasons. It may be useful to look at scheduling activities at times when parents may be coming into schools anyway e.g. parents evenings, school plays. Innovative ways of reaching parents need to be developed, as the neediest children appear to have the least receptive parents.
- More information needs to be disseminated to pupils and parents regarding the negative effects of a poor diet and obesity.
Contact Details:
Contact: Lynnette Jones
Job Title: Senior Health and Sustainability Officer
Address:
Wyre Forest District Council
Duke House
Clensmore Street
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY10 2JX
Tel: 01562 732569
Email: lynnette.jones@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Website: www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk