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Goonhavern Pre-SchoolGoonhavern Primary School

Healthy Schools

Whole School Food Policy 

It is not our intention to tell parents what and how they should be feeding their children and we will not do so.  We want to work with parents to educate our children about healthy dietary choices so that they can make their own informed choices independently when they are older.

The overall aim of this policy

Evidence suggests that pupils, who are healthy, achieve well at school and that childhood diets impact upon their future health.  Therefore, our aim is to ensure that all packed lunches brought from home and consumed in  school (or on school trips) provide pupils with healthy and nutritious food that is similar to food served in schools, which is regulated by national standards.

We understand that some children are ‘fussy’ eaters and that it is a major step to get some children to eat anything at all.  We would want parents to let us know if this is the case so that we can deal with such children sensitively and with encouragement and praise for what they have eaten.

So what does the policy involve?

The following guidelines for snacks and lunchbox contents may act as a guide and ensure health and equality for all children.

Packed lunches may include:

  • At least one portion of fruit and or vegetable (this could include a dried fruit)
  • Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, chick peas, hummus)
  • A sandwich that includes a savoury filling (e.g. egg, tuna, cheese, cooked meat)
  • A starchy food such as bread, pasta, rice, noodles
  • Dairy food such as cheese, yogurt, fromage frais
  • A smoothie or yogurt drink
  • A bottle of water
  • A biscuit not coated in chocolate
  • Snacks such as seeds, savoury crackers, breadsticks etc.
  • Eating utensils if necessary

Packed lunches should not contain:

  • Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate coated biscuits and sweets.
  • Sausage rolls and pies should only be included occasionally.
  • No fizzy drinks, squash or juice.

*Nuts and nut products (e.g. peanut butter) should never be sent to school because of allergy concerns. Neither are children allowed to share food items for this same reason. 

Water

It has been recognised that children’s concentration and behaviour improves when children drink water throughout the day. Dehydration can give children headaches and make them tired. Therefore, we encourage all pupils to bring a drinks bottle to school each day.  This will allow children to have access to fresh drinking water throughout each day.

How will lunch boxes be monitored? 

On a daily basis the staff in school see what children have in their lunchboxes whilst supervising in the dining hall. This is an opportunity for them to talk with the children about their lunchboxes and to encourage healthy eating and drinking.  However, we may send parents a reminder of this policy if lunchbox contents regularly fall short of the expectations in this policy.  If your child has not eaten enough of their lunch, we will wrap it up and send it home in their lunch box in order for you to see.

We have the best interests of all the children at heart and are grateful for your continued support with this policy.