HES 6 - Bridgend County Council

Consultation: Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee

The proposed W.A.G. ‘measure’ would be a welcomed positive step as it would impose a duty on school headteachers and governing bodies to promote healthy eating and support the caterer with the holistic approach to healthy food in the school day and during incidental activities on school premises which could have a significant and positive  long term effect on the health and wellbeing of children and young people.  

The proposed legislative inspection regime would promote monitoring of healthy eating provision and ensure the highest percentage possible of uptake of free meals in schools but also regulate provision in ‘opt out’ schools to ensure continuity of provision to all children and young people in Wales.

This proposed inspection regime by Estyn would raise the priority of school meal provision on the competitive agenda of priorities within the education system.  The W.A.G. list healthy school provision within their top 10 priorities.  We are however concerned about the criteria that Estyn would use initially to inspect the healthy food provision and the specialist expertise required by an inspection team to arrive at meaningful and informed judgements.

However, it is felt that because of the A.F.L. 2 year Action Research Project the timing must be taken into consideration due to 4 Authorities across Wales from September 2008 trialling the implementation of the food and nutritional standards.  

We need to learn from the project before wider application across the schools in Wales and the introduction of the proposed measures are put in place.  If the timings for these measures are not correct it could have a negative effect on the A.F.L. success.

If the result of Estyn inspections were reported to the governing bodies and then to parents, information about the challenges experienced by Caterers during this time, which could be misconstrued and result in low morale to catering teams and further possible negative media coverage.

Due to the lack of base line data for Wales in this area, the 2 year Action Research Project would be a good time to gather data before imposing any inspection regimes.

Stakeholder knowledge on the A.F.L. Action Plan could be raised during this 2 year period and consultation could take place with them to ensure the changes needed could be managed effectively.

If the measure was implemented in September 2010, it would give extra time to develop and train staff in the interim.

Further provision issues need to be addressed before inspection regimes are introduced, i.e.

Lack of funding for the refurbishment of dining halls to enhance the dining experience.
Staggered lunches to ensure pupils can enjoy the social dining experience.
Off site eating for pupils which is currently allowed in most secondary schools.