Guidance

School food standards: resources for schools

Resources to help schools plan and provide healthy food in schools.

From:
Department for Education
Published
26 March 2019
Last updated
1921 SeptemberJanuary 20242025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

School food standards practical guide

HTML

Checklist for headteachers

HTML

School food: guidance for governors

HTML

Preparing varied and tasty menus

HTML

Portion sizes and food groups

HTML

Allergy guidance for schools

HTML

Preparing for food supply chain changes

HTML

Checklist for school lunches

PDF, 139 KB, 4 pages

Checklist for school food other than lunch

PDF, 149 KB, 4 pages

Creating a culture and ethos of healthy eating

HTML

School food standards poster

PDF, 1.37 MB, 1 page

Details

Resources and advice for all schools and caterers. They offer practical guidance on how to apply the school food standards and make sure healthy options are always available for pupils.

The resources include:

  • guidance for schools
  • a school food standards poster
  • guidance for governors
  • advice on creating a culture of healthy eating
  • guidance on food portion sizes
  • headteacher and school lunch checklists
  • guidance on food allergies

Updates to this page

Published 26 March 2019
Last updated 1921 SeptemberJanuary 2024 2025 + show all updates

  1. Added link to 'Breakfast clubs early adopter guidance for schools and trusts in England' in 'School food standards practical guide'.

  2. Added a link to the Schools Allergy Code in 'Allergy guidance for schools'.

  4. Updated 'School food: guidance for governors': added a link in 'Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure money is well spent' to the 'Get help buying for schools' service.

  6. Updated ‘Checklist for school lunches’ so it shows 3 weeks rather than 4.

  8. Changed headings on 'Checklist for school lunches' to week numbers.

  10. We have updated 'Allergy guidance for schools' with information on prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods and additional resources and links.

  12. 'Portion sizes and food groups' updated: corrected dairy portions for secondary pupils.

  14. Documents converted to accessible formats to meet accessibility requirements. No policy changes have been made.

  16. Added information on food supply chain changes.

  18. Added guidance for schools on food allergies.

  20. First published.

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