New school food rules welcomed by head

Many pupils at his school are unfamiliar with different fruits and vegetables, a Telford head teacher has said as he welcomed new school food standards.

Rob Fox, from Donnington Wood CofE Junior School, said the changes would be particularly important for his pupils, about 60% of whom receive free school meals.

New rules due to be introduced in schools from September 2027, would see more fruit and vegetables offered to pupils, while deep-fried foods would be removed from menus.

Fox said the changes could help children develop healthier eating habits but warned schools would need to make sure meals remained appealing.

"Our children do not necessarily know of different vegetables and different fruits so it is about educating them," he said.

"School dinner, as everyone believes and knows, is the most important meal of the day for a lot of our children and so it is making sure that those children are able to access it and eat it and enjoy it.

"We do not want children to have a plate full of broccoli and throw it in the bin."

Under the new standards, fibre and wholegrains would also be increased, while breakfast clubs would be required to follow nutrition rules for the first time. Schools would also be monitored to ensure they meet the requirements.

Fox said healthy meals could make a significant difference to children's learning and wellbeing, but stressed they also needed to be filling.

"Having a healthy meal does make a massive difference but it's got to be a meal that fills their tummies up and it does give them the energy for the day," he said.

"It is great to have these alternatives and these things they need, but it has got to be that balance.

"I don't want children not wanting to go up to the counter to get their dinner."

The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the changes, but said it hoped the new rules would not become "another stick with which to beat head teachers".

School kitchen worker at Donnington Wood, Sharron Price, said lunch menus had changed significantly since she was a child.

"We used to have a lot of cake and custard and things like that, pink custard, green custard and all sorts," she said.

"As I've got older, I think the kids' lunches have got better.

"I could not imagine them eating [what I ate back then] now."

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