Consultation: Proposals For Healthy Eating In Schools Measure
Governors Wales
Governors Wales welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposals for Healthy Eating in Schools Measure and submits the following comments:-
1. Do you think that the proposed Measure will promote a holistic "all school” approach to healthy eating? Are there any additional powers that could be included in the Measure to further promote this approach in schools?
Governors Wales endorses the concept of a holistic approach to healthy eating both in primary and secondary schools and in nurseries, as set out in the proposals.
2. The proposed Measure provides for Regulations which will specify nutritional standards to be introduced by Welsh Ministers. Do you think that this incremental approach will ensure that children, young people and parents are not alienated by the speed of the reforms?
Governors Wales supports an incremental approach; lessons do need to be learnt from the experience in England.
3. Are there any additional powers which should be added to the proposed Measure that would further improve healthy eating in schools?
The activities of PTAs selling confectionery and fizzy drinks when putting on events such as discos need to be covered. It may be that this is part of the intention of clause 7(7)(b) of the Measure.
4. Does the proposed Measure promote satisfactorily the principles of sustainable development in the provision of healthy school food?
Reference in the Measure to the principles of sustainable development appears to be rather scant.
5. Do you agree with the duties, responsibilities and reporting requirements proposed in the Measure for head teachers and governors? Will these requirements ensure that progress is made on improving healthy eating in schools?
The regulations to be produced on the duty of schools to report will need to take account of the fact that it is the governing body, not the headteacher, that is required to produce an annual report to parents on the general activities of the school, and steps to promote healthy eating should be part of that report. It may be appropriate in addition to require that schools produce a food policy incorporating the principles of healthy eating.
6. Do you think that the duties, responsibilities and reporting requirements proposed for Assembly Ministers, Local Education Authorities and the Chief Inspector of Schools are sufficient to have a positive impact on the implementation and monitoring of healthy eating in schools?
Yes, provided of course that they are conscientiously acted on!
7. There will be a financial cost as a result of the proposals in the Measure on the Welsh Assembly Government, Local Education Authorities, schools and to a lesser extent on Estyn. Will these proposals result in your organisation incurring financial costs, and if yes, what will these costs be? (please quantify).
