The IndependentSchool Food Plan

What’s worked well:

Under Ofsted’s new Common Inspection Framework, Ofsted inspect how “children and learners keep themselves healthy, including through healthy eating”.

As part of this, inspectors will look at “the food on offer and visit the canteen to see the atmosphere and culture in the dining space and the effect this has on pupils’ behaviour.” Inspectors will also look at the “breadth and balance of the curriculum, of which practical cookery is now a part.”

Ofsted confirmed their commitment to school food and healthy eating in a letter written to Sharon Hodgson MP, as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on School Food.

Snippet of success:

Practical Guidance

The School Food Plan office has worked with many organisations to produce practical guidance to help school leaders and governing bodies adopt a whole school approach to food and create a culture and ethos of healthy eating.

The guidance is designed to be used alongside other School Food Plan resources including the Headteacher Checklist and What Works Well Website.

School Inspection Update

Ofsted’s School Inspection Update, published January 2016, calls for inspectors to be familiar with The School Food Plan and resources as a means of supporting both the provision of healthy choices in school food and in the delivery of food education. The update highlights how the School Food Plan and resources are relevant to inspectors’ assessment of how schools are supporting pupils to keep themselves healthy, including through making informed choices about healthy eating.

Inspectors are clearly signposted to the Ofsted guidance for schools, the Headteacher’s Checklist and What Works Well website.

Recent Ofsted Reports

“Pupils have grown and harvested their own vegetables, which has given them a good understanding of how to keep healthy. Pupils understand that they should have healthy snacks and even advised the inspector not to each too much chocolate”.
Ofsted Report September 2015 – St Jude’s Catholic Primary School, Wigan

“Pupils are cared for very well in the popular breakfast club. This has a positive impact on pupils’ health and nutrition, as well as their ability to socialise, and on attendance and punctuality.”
Ofsted Report October 2015 – The Woodlands Community Primary School, Staffordshire

What’s coming up:

Ofsted have agreed to publish a good practice case study showing how a whole school approach positively impacts pupils’ outcomes. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food will be inviting Ofsted to update on progress.