Emma Harrison reflects on the important but sometimes silent topic of school meals.

Feeding the future

A catering manager once said to me, "What better job is there than serving meals to children?" A great question. We know that school food plays a vital role in children and young people's health and wellbeing and in their academic and behavioural outcomes. 

In England, the School Food Standards were introduced in 2015 to ensure that meals served in schools are nutritious, balanced, and conducive to learning. Compliance with the requirements for School Food Regulations 2014 is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies, and free schools. They aim to instil healthy eating habits from a young age. However, a decade later, the landscape of school food is undergoing significant review. 

Policy position 

The announcement in June 2025 that the standards will be reviewed and that all children and young people in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals from September 2026, marks a significant step forward. ASCL welcomes this move, which aligns with our longstanding calls to end child poverty. 

However, the reality in schools remains complex. Many school leaders are grappling with the logistics of meal provision amid rising costs of ingredients, utilities and staffing costs, staffing pressures, and outdated infrastructure. Many catering contracts are under strain, and some schools are considering bringing provision in-house, an option that requires significant capacity and expertise. Some local authorities have withdrawn this provision available to schools due to cost. Others use private caterers, with many experiencing different levels of satisfaction. 

Despite the positive policy steps on eligibility, funding remains a critical concern. For several years, funding has been inadequate and has not always kept pace with food inflation. We look forward to hearing more about the eligibility reforms. What is key is that schools must not be expected to subsidise meals from already stretched budgets. The government must ensure that the expansion of free school meals is matched by adequate financial support. 

What are the School Food Standards? 

The School Food Standards set out requirements for food and drink provided to pupils during the school day. They cover everything from portion sizes and food groups to limits on sugar, salt, and fat. The goal is to ensure that children receive meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while minimising processed foods and sugary snacks. 

These standards are enforced by trusts and school governing bodies, who are responsible for ensuring compliance. However, how this is implemented varies depending on each school's catering arrangements, with no formal quality assurance processes in place. The current standards need reviewing to reflect current nutritional guidance, and there needs to be sustainability considerations. 

In 2022, the School Food Standards Compliance Pilot was launched to assess how well schools were adhering to the guidelines. The pilot revealed that while many schools were committed to providing healthy meals, there were inconsistencies in implementation and monitoring. Food hygiene officers played a key role in identifying gaps and recommending improvements. 

The findings underscored the need for more robust oversight and clearer accountability. Without consistent monitoring, the effectiveness of the standards is diluted, and children may not receive the nutritional benefits intended. 

The School Food Standards Review 

The government's commitment to revising the standards is both timely and necessary, but it is essential that the following is considered:
Modernised nutritional guidance: Standards should reflect current evidence-based understanding of child nutrition, including reduced sugar and salt.
Clear implementation frameworks: Schools need practical tools, training, and support to implement the standards effectively.
Quality assurance mechanisms: A system for monitoring compliance and supporting improvement, without adding burden to school leaders.
Sustainability: The standards should encourage environmentally responsible practices. 

Next steps for school leaders 

As we await the outcomes of the review, school leaders can take the following proactive steps: 

1. Audit current provision: Review your school's meal offering against existing standards and identify areas for improvement. 
2. Engage stakeholders: Involve pupils, parents, staff, and governors in discussions about school meals.
3. Advocate for support: Use your voice to call for fair funding and practical support. ASCL will continue to represent your interests at national level. 

As we're in the midst of a national obesity and mental health crisis, surely now is the time to pay school meals the attention they deserve and provide a sufficiently funded meals service. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ASCL 

is pleased to have been invited to contribute to the School Food Standards Review as part of our ongoing work with the School Food Review Group.

Emma Harrison
ASCL Business Leadership Specialist
@emmajharrisonx.bsky.social

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