Since January 2015 all local authority maintained schools have had a legal obligation to abide by the DfE set food standards in relation to all food served in schools. Academies established before 2010 already have a clause in their funding agreement requiring them to comply with national standards for school food, and those created from June 2014 onwards will also have to follow the standards. However, academies established between 2010 and June 2014 have no such clause in their funding agreement, but are being encouraged to sign up voluntarily to the standards.
The general principle of the standards emphasises the importance of providing a wide range of foods across the week. Variety is key, whether it is different fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses or types of meat and fish. Offering a wider range of different foods provides a better balance of nutrients. The standards are intended to give schools more flexibility regarding the food they serve, and strengthen the positive impact of healthy eating from the previous standards.
Although many schools are fully versed on the requirements of the standards and the execution of their conditions on site, many overlook that they also apply to all food and drink provided to pupils off the schools premises and during an extended school day (up to 6pm), including school trips, breakfast clubs, tuck shops, mid-morning break, vending and after school clubs.
Institutions must provide free school lunches to eligible pupils off the premises where education is being provided, i.e. where school trips are taking place during school time. However, school trips outside of school time, whether day trips or residential, such as during half term or Easter break, do not count. Additionally, it is not the duty of schools to provide free evening meals to eligible pupils on school trips.
It is recommended that schools write the conditions of food provision on school trips into relevant policies. As part of school trip planning organisers will need to consider the execution of this requirement and the conditions of the standards. It is essential that staff have a full understanding of when this requirement is and is not applicable and know the procedures for implementing it where necessary.
HandsamSchoolTripsAdvisor can help you to keep all elements of trip planning under wraps with our trip planning system, see also the guidance School Food Standards: Actions in the School Food Plan.
