Fuel for learning: A parent‑led guide to healthier, happier school meals

Practical steps to improving school food

Step 1: Get informed

Find out what's currently on the school menu and how food is provided. Understanding who makes food decisions in your school is the key first step but this varies significantly depending on where you live.

• England: Food decisions are usually made at school level. The headteacher and/or business manager typically lead on catering arrangements, with school governors having a role in approving the school’s food policy. In academy trusts, the trust may set and manage catering policies across multiple schools, with decision making by the academy committees and local governing boards working alongside the Trust's board.
• Scotland: School catering is often managed centrally by the local council (local authority), rather than by the headteacher. This means many decisions about menus and catering contracts are made at council level. Your first point of contact may therefore be the council’s catering or education department, as well as your school. Your school’s Parent Council is also an important forum for parental involvement.
• Wales: Local authority-managed catering is common, although arrangements vary between schools. The headteacher and governing body have a role, but the local authority may manage menus and catering contracts. Check with your school whether catering is managed by the local authority or arranged independently.
• Northern Ireland: School catering is generally managed by the Education Authority (EA), including catering staff, menus and meeting nutrition standards. Individual schools may have less control over catering decisions, so the Education Authority or your school may be the best place to raise concerns or ask questions about school food.

Step 2: Start the conversation

Send a friendly, positive message to the right person and remember that who you contact first will depend on where you live (see Step 1). Keep the conversation open, positive and collaborative!

• England: Contact the headteacher and/or catering lead in the first instance. If you do not receive a positive response, you could consider raising the issue with the school governors (see the Governance section below) or parent body if there is one.  If you have an opportunity to speak to the headteacher, school business manager or a senior member of staff in person, for example at the school entrance, this can be a useful way to start the conversation, followed up with an email.
• Scotland: Contact the headteacher in the first instance, but be aware that many catering decisions are made by the local authority. Your school’s Parent Council is also an important route for raising issues and sharing views about school food. If the issue cannot be resolved at school level, you could contact your council’s education or catering department directly.
• Wales: Start by contacting the headteacher or school’s catering lead. The governing body also has a role in school food policy. If catering is managed by the local authority, you may also wish to contact the council about issues relating to menus or catering arrangements.
• Northern Ireland: Contact the headteacher in the first instance. Boards of Governors can also provide a route for raising issues about school food. For wider catering matters, you may need to contact the Education Authority (EA), which is responsible for school catering in many schools.

Step 3: Meet and listen

• Have a meeting to understand their priorities and challenges. Focus on shared goals. Approach with curiosity, not demands.
• Take a look at our resources section to find some helpful questions to ask

Step 4: Find one small, visible win

Suggest one achievable improvement that will make a real difference. Starting small builds trust and creates momentum for further change.

Examples might include:

• Making menus easier for parents and pupils to access, for example by publishing them online.
• Increasing the variety of fruit and vegetables on offer, making them seasonal or locally sourced where possible.
• Improving the look and feel of the dining environment.
• Reducing queues or making sure pupils have enough time to eat their lunch.
• Adding more culturally diverse menu options.
• Introducing a taste-testing session with pupils to help shape the menu.
   

Step 5: Get feedback and celebrate

• Ask pupils and staff what they thought of the change.
• Share positive results in the school newsletter or PTA group.

Step 6: Keep it going (gently)

• Once trust is built, suggest forming a small “school food group” or working with the PTA to keep improvements going.
• Add one new goal at a time as gradual change is sustainable.

Check out School Food Matters – 12 tips for parents

 

 

Tools, resources and templates for parents

Resources & further reading 

Here a list of brilliant resources to help you learn more and get involved.

Templates

Make sure to download a copy before editing!

• Letter to Headteacher
• Letter to Governors
• Letter to Councils & Academy Trusts

5 facts to take with you to your meeting

1. Healthy school meals improves nutrition and helps combat childhood obesity, saving the NHS money in the long term. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
2. Healthy school meals boosts a child's attainment and attendance. They can focus better and thrive in their classrooms. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
3. Healthy school meals improves food security and helps families save on food costs. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
4. A healthy food environment shapes lifelong habits. Schools that offer nutritious meals, water, and fruit breaks, and limit sugary drinks/snacks, help children develop healthy eating habits that last into adulthood (WHO, 2018)
5. Children typically spend 190 days a year in school, and therefore plays a massively important role in educating children about healthy eating – from school meals to food education and what happens across the whole of the school day.

You can also download the facts.

5 good questions to ask during your meeting

1. How is the school supporting in creating a healthy food environment for students?
2. Who in the school is responsible for leading on school food policy?
3. How does the school ensure that the menu meets the School Food Standards, and how often is it reviewed?
4. Are there vegetarian/vegan/culturally appropriate/allergy appropriate options daily, and how do you ensure children have a good variety of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains each week?
5. How does the school use the curriculum to teach children about healthy eating and nutrition? 

More questions available here. 

Menu checklist 

Here’s a menu checklist based on the current school food standards in England (2014). You can use it to see what’s offered at your child’s school, spot examples of good practice, and have a starting point for your meeting. Checklists specific to each nation's standards are something we are working to develop.

Healthy school food awards

Some schools take part in programmes or awards that support healthy eating, good food and whole-school wellbeing. These can provide a useful indication that a school is working to improve its food culture, although the programmes vary between nations and not all schools take part.

Here are some examples of programmes currently running across the UK that schools may be part of or could apply for:

Soil Association – Food for Life Award

Run by the Soil Association, the Food for Life Schools Award is a national, evidence-based accreditation programme supporting schools to serve healthy, sustainable meals and embed good food culture across the whole school day. The Bronze, Silver, and Gold award levels recognise progress from compliance with School Food Standards through to leadership in freshly prepared, locally sourced, and climate-friendly menus. Criteria cover food quality, education, pupil and parent engagement, and community partnerships (e.g. local farms, gardening, cooking). Schools receive a structured framework, online tools, and expert support to develop action plans and demonstrate impact. The award promotes a “whole-school approach to food,” linking health, sustainability, and education in line with national priorities for school food improvement. Food for Life Schools Award | Soil Association 

ProVeg - School Plates (Awards / Programme)

Run by ProVeg UK (charity focused on plant-based & sustainable food). School Plates is a programme and accreditation that helps schools/caterers increase healthy, plant-forward options and reduce the carbon intensity of menus; includes menu review, training and an awards process.

Awards require compliance with School Food Standards plus measurable increase in plant-based options, chef training, taste-testing, and evidence of positive uptake/behavioural change. Focus on sustainability/low-carbon menus and increasing uptake of healthier, plant-rich meals are priorities. School Plates - ProVeg UK

Healthy Schools London Award

Run by Greater London Authority (GLA) in partnership with London boroughs. It is a whole-school framework that recognises schools promoting health and wellbeing - including healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. Schools progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Levels include Healthy eating policy and compliance with School Food Standards. Promotion of healthy snacks, lunchboxes, and water-only policies. Cooking and nutrition education embedded in the curriculum. Evidence of whole-school engagement and community involvement. Healthy Early Years London and Healthy Schools London | London City Hall

Healthy Active Schools Award Suffolk (Active Suffolk Partnership)

Led by Active Suffolk (Countywide Active Partnership) the award scheme uses a whole-school, data-driven approach to increase physical activity and address childhood excess weight. Schools complete a baseline survey and develop bespoke action plans. Offers staff CPD, resource sharing, and cluster-based collaboration.Strong countywide model promoting health through activity, supporting a holistic “Healthy Schools” vision for Suffolk. Active Suffolk – Active Healthy Schools Award

Middlesbrough Eat Well Schools Award 

Run by Middlesbrough Local authority public-health with a Bronze/Silver/Gold award framework requiring compliance with School Food Standards plus local criteria (food policy, breakfast club standards, food education, parental engagement). Criteria includes food policy, supportive dining environment, curriculum links and evidence of promotion/uptake of school meals; higher levels require broader leadership and community work.  Practical and low-cost for schools to join; aligns with local public-health priorities and is easier to adapt to local commissioning contexts than some national certifications. Eat Well Schools Award | Middlesbrough Council

Leeds Healthy Schools and Settings - Healthy Eating Award

Run by Leeds City Council, Public Health team the award is a strand of the broader Leeds Healthy Schools programme focusing on food and nutrition. Schools can achieve a Healthy Eating Award by demonstrating best practice in food provision, education, and policy. Supported by a toolkit criteria includes Compliance with School Food Standards and a written healthy eating policy. Access to cooking and nutrition learning opportunities for all pupils. Active promotion of healthy meals, snacks and drinks. Staff training in healthy eating and support for pupil voice. This locally tailored award is embedded within a whole-school improvement model, helping schools build sustainable, evidence-based food cultures that link to Ofsted priorities and local child health outcomes. Healthy Schools. | Leeds for Learning

North Yorkshire and York Healthy Schools Awards

Run by North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council, the Healthy School Awards covers four key themes, including Food in Schools. Schools can work on them in any order to create action plans, draw on resources provided by the council and apply for bronze, silver and gold level awards. There is a section for Early Years Settings too.  Healthy Schools North Yorkshire. 

 

Programmes

Here are UK programmes that help schools serve healthier meals and make food education part of everyday learning

• The School Food Project is a joint programme in England working with pupils, teachers, school leaders and chefs to transform school food and champion food education. They also have a useful resources hub for schools.   
• Chefs in Schools is a UK charity transforming school food by training chefs and kitchen teams to cook nutritious, fresh meals from scratch and by supporting schools to embed food education across the curriculum. They work directly with schools to improve menus, train catering staff, and make lunchtime a valued part of the school day. 
• School Food Matters is a charity that campaigns for fresh, healthy school meals and provides practical food education programs to help children understand where food comes from, how it’s grown, and how to cook it. They connect schools with food producers, run gardening and cooking projects, and advocate nationally for better school food policy.
• The Soil Association is a UK charity promoting healthy, sustainable food and farming. It helps schools serve freshly prepared, seasonal, and locally sourced meals, while also integrating food education, gardening, and community engagement into everyday school life, all through its Food for Life program. 
• TastED is a UK charity bringing sensory food education into primary schools, helping children explore, taste, and develop a curiosity for a wide variety of ingredients. Through simple, classroom-friendly activities that require no cooking equipment, they equip teachers to lead regular tasting sessions that build children's confidence with food, broaden their palates, and foster a lifelong positive relationship with eating well.
• Farms for City Children is a UK charity that gives urban primary school children the incredible experience of living and working on a real farm for a week. Children get to care for animals, grow food and work the land, building a genuine understanding of where food comes from.
• Best Food Forward is a programme based at The School of Artisan Food, designed and led by a registered dietitian. Through practical, hands-on cook-and-learn sessions, they make food education accessible and enjoyable for everyone, helping people of all backgrounds build a better understanding of food and the confidence to cook it.

 

What works: real examples of school food change

The following case studies show how parents, schools, and communities across the UK have successfully worked together to improve school food. They highlight a range of approaches, from parent-led campaigning and partnership working to strong leadership and whole-school culture change. Together, these examples illustrate the powerful role parents can play in advocating for healthier, more inclusive school food environments.

Share other examples of good practice

Merton Primary School

In Merton, a parent-led campaign group raised concerns over the quality of school meals provided by a commercial caterer and forced senior leadership and the catering provider to respond. One parent-governor described a meeting where 250 parents signed a petition demanding better, healthier food provision. Their pressure resulted in negotiations with the provider and the school revisiting kitchen equipment, food choice and dining conditions. The case demonstrates that when parents organise and engage with governors and school leadership, they can act as a catalyst for improved standards in school meals.

Connect (Scottish Parent Teacher Council) & St Joseph’s Primary School (Scotland)

At St Joseph’s Primary, parents, the Parent Council/PTA and the wider community worked alongside the school and catering team to design a new school garden and integrate healthier food into the curriculum and meals. The joint action by parents and school staff led not only to improved food awareness but direct improvements in the school meal offer itself. It shows how parent-school partnership can deliver tangible food and dining quality changes.

Laurel Park School

Laurel Park School in Enfield transformed its lunchtime culture through a partnership with Chefs in Schools. Previously dominated by snacks and processed foods, the school introduced a freshly prepared menu of hot meals and salads using seasonal ingredients, led by a newly appointed Head Chef. Staff began eating alongside pupils, and the dining space was redesigned to create a more welcoming environment. The senior leadership team’s commitment by funding the initiative and embedding it in school values turned the project into a full cultural shift rather than a simple menu update.

 

Why healthy school food matters

As parents, we all want our children to grow up healthy, and that includes a healthy relationship to food. With children in school for an average of 190 days every year, the food served in our schools, and the education about food they receive, plays an important role our children’s health and dietary preferences.

Whilst many parents report satisfaction with the food offered to their children in school, many others are frustrated. It might be what's on the menu or the size of portions, too little veg or too much sugar, meeting special dietary needs or including culturally appropriate food on menus. It might be the size of the lunch break or the lunch queue, and having enough time to both eat well and play.

Healthy school meals support children’s concentration, energy levels and overall wellbeing. They can also make a real difference for families by helping to ease food costs and making sure every child gets a balanced meal, whatever their circumstances.

The benefits don’t stop at the school gate. Evidence shows that when school meals are nutritious and accessible, children do better at school, families feel more supported, and communities benefit in the long run.

Below, we’ve broken down the key ways that good school food makes a difference for children and families, using evidence from our Superpowers of School Meals evidence pack.

Nutritional benefit & health outcomes

Children eating school meals consume more fruit and vegetables than those bringing packed lunches. In fact, our Superpowers of School Meals report shows 1.6% of packed lunches meet the School Food Standards.

Universal free school meals have been linked to improvements in children’s health and weight. For example, a 5-8% reduction in obesity rates has been recorded where pupils received free school meals throughout primary schools in some London boroughs.

Good quality school meals help ensure children are nourished, supporting physical health and wellbeing, particularly for children from food-insecure homes.

Educational & developmental benefit

Hunger and poor nutrition undermines learning with teachers reporting that pupils coming to school hungry are more distracted, tired, and disruptive.

Well-fed children are better able to concentrate and engage in learning, improving attainment especially for children from less affluent backgrounds.

One study found that children receiving school meals for nine years from primary school increased their lifetime earnings by almost 6% (Superpowers of School Meals, pg 9).

Reducing inequalities & supporting families

High-quality school meals help level the playing field, giving every child the same chance to eat well and do well at school. They also support families financially by reducing the cost and stress of providing lunches every day. It also helps children feel a sense of belonging and reduce stigma.

Wider economic & societal value

Investing in healthy school food doesn’t just help individual families, it benefits everyone. Evidence shows that expanding access to free, nutritious school meals delivers long-term value through better health, improved education and stronger future earnings. By supporting healthy eating early on, we can also reduce the risk of food-related ill health later in life, helping to ease pressure on the health system in the future.

 

School Food Standards

School food standards are set separately in each part of the UK. While they all aim to ensure children are offered healthy meals, how strong the rules are and how well they’re checked, varies depending on where you live.

Parents overwhelmingly want this to change. Our nationwide polling of 2,000 UK parents shows that 8 in 10 support stronger enforcement and monitoring of school food standards, alongside serving more fresh fruit and yoghurt instead of cakes and puddings. This is echoed by a Chefs in Schools poll of 1,000 UK parents, which found that 96% believe school meals should be made with fresh, nutritious ingredients, and 83% support stronger, enforceable standards across all schools.

What are the standards that my child’s school should be following?

England

The government has now updated the School Food Standards for the first time in over a decade. The updated standards are expected to come into force from September 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval. Some requirements for secondary schools will be phased in from September 2028.

Until the new standards come into force, schools must continue to meet the existing School Food Standards. These include requirements to:

• provide fruit and vegetables every day, including at least 3 different fruits and 3 different vegetables each week
• provide a range of starchy foods, including wholegrain options
• limit deep-fried, batter-coated and breadcrumb-coated foods to no more than 2 portions a week
• limit pastry to no more than 2 portions a week
• provide oily fish at least once every 3 weeks
• limit manufactured meat or poultry products
• provide dairy or a suitable alternative every day
• make free drinking water available at all times
• restrict confectionery, chocolate and other foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt.

Helpful infographic

What will change between now and September 2027?

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the updated standards will:

• Increase the amount of fruit, vegetables fibre offered
• Require every main savoury meal to include a starchy carbohydrate, a source of protein and vegetables or salad
• Allow greater use of beans, pulses and plant-based proteins 
• Introduce tighter limits on foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt, and remove deep fried foods from menus altogether
• Introduce new standards for breakfast food
• Include more wholegrains and higher fibre bread
• Ensure drinks are healthy and not sugary
• Introduce tighter limits on sugary foods and desserts, and ensure dessert options include 50% fruit too
• Require schools to publish their school food policy and menus online
• Ask schools to appoint a lead governor responsible for school food

Some of the requirements for secondary schools will be phased in from September 2028.

 

Sustain’s parent ambassador, Mandy Mazliah, who has 3 children aged 16, 15 & 11 says: 

"I’m pleased to see the new school food standards in place. As a mum of three, I’ve been shocked by how often options like doughnuts, sausage rolls and sugary or ultra-processed foods dominate. This is a real opportunity to improve what children are eating by cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods while increasing vegetables, whole foods and plant-based options. Our children need good quality food to fuel their learning and ensure that they can live healthy lives."

What should schools do now?

The government is asking schools to start preparing for the changes. As parents you can ask your school what they are doing.

Schools should:

• review the updated School Food Standards
• discuss the changes with their catering provider
• review existing menus, contracts and procurement arrangements to identify any changes that may be needed
• work with pupils and parents to test any new menus or dishes
• keep up to date with further guidance and legislative developments.

Monitoring and enforcement: The government will introduce a new national system to monitor and enforce compliance with the School Food Standards, with enforcement due to be in place from September 2027. Further details of how this will work are being developed.

Schools should:

• plan to appoint a lead governor for school food no later than September 2027
• prepare to publish their school food policy and menus on their website no later than September 2027

Scotland

Scotland follows the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (2020). 

Schools must:

• Make sure school meals include the right balance of energy, vitamins and nutrients
• Limit red and processed meat
• Restrict high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods
• Provide vegetables daily
• Ensure portion sizes are appropriate for age

Sugary drinks are not permitted.

Scotland combines food-based standards with nutrient targets, meaning schools must meet calorie, fat, salt and sugar limits across menus.

In Scotland, school meal standards are monitored by Education Scotland's team of Health and Nutrition inspectors, and there is also a self evaluation framework for schools to use. 

Wales

Wales currently follows the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013. 

Schools must:

• Provide fruit and vegetables daily
• Restrict foods high in fat, sugar and salt
• Limit deep-fried foods
• Ensure appropriate portion sizes
• Provide only water, milk or limited approved drinks

New regulations will come into force from 31 October 2026.

They will apply to maintained nursery and primary schools, including learners in Year 6 and below in schools that provide both primary and secondary education.

The new regulations will:

• introduce clearer, age-appropriate portion sizes
• strengthen requirements around fruit and vegetables
• introduce tighter requirements around foods high in sugar and fat
• update requirements for drinks
• strengthen nutritional requirements for school meals
• provide clearer requirements for catering for children with medically prescribed dietary requirements
• update requirements for food provided at breakfast in primary schools.

The Welsh government published new guidance in March 2026 on the roles of school governing bodies, local authorities and the national school inspection organisation Estyn, for ensuring healthy eating in state-maintained schools.  

Northern Ireland

Schools in Northern Ireland must follow the Nutritional Standards for School Lunches, originally introduced in 2007. These standards were reviewed in 2020, but full implementation will only happen when addiitonal funding is secured, according to the NI government website. 

The current standards include:

• No fewer than two portions of fruit and vegetables at lunch
• Rice and pasta served at least once a week
• Guidance on how often meat and dairy are served
• Restrictions on fried foods
• Milk and water must be available every day
• Limits on confectionery and sugary drinks
• Portion guidance for different age groups

There is also nutritional guidance for other food and drink in schools.

 School food roles and responsibilities

School food decisions happen at more than one level. Schools should listen to the wider school community when making decisions about food. This includes parents and carers, pupils, and school staff such as teachers and catering teams. Feedback might be gathered through surveys, meetings or school councils.

By asking questions, sharing concerns, or speaking to school leaders or governors, parents can help make sure school food works in practice and meets the needs of children and families.

National guidance and legislation

Schools in each UK nation must follow legally binding school food regulations that set requirements for nutrition, portion sizes and the types of food and drink that can be offered, creating a framework to help ensure school meals support children’s health and learning.

• England: School Food Standards set by the Department for Education (with input from Department for Health and Social Care).
• Scotland: Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (set by the Scottish Government).
• Wales: Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations.
• Northern Ireland: Nutritional Standards for School Lunches (Department of Education NI), and Nutritional Standards for other food and drink in schools.

Local authority oversight

Local authorities (councils) play an important role in school food across the UK, but their role varies between the four nations. Understanding their role can help you know who to approach and what you can reasonably ask them to do.

• England: For maintained (council-run) schools, local authorities can advise on food policy, support compliance with national standards, and manage or support catering services. Many schools are now academies, where the academy trust may instead be responsible for catering and food policy.
• Scotland: Local authorities generally have a more direct role in school catering. Many schools use council-managed catering services, with the council responsible for areas such as staff, menus and procurement. Your local council’s education or catering department may therefore be an important point of contact alongside the school.
• Wales: Local authority-managed catering is common, although arrangements vary between schools. Councils may manage catering services and have responsibilities relating to healthy eating standards. Governing bodies also have responsibilities relating to healthy eating in schools.
• Northern Ireland: School catering is generally managed by the Education Authority (EA), rather than individual local authorities. The EA provides school meals across many schools and is responsible for areas including catering staff and menus. It may therefore be an important point of contact alongside your school.

School leadership and governance

Day-to-day decisions about school food are often made at school level, but the governance structures overseeing those decisions vary across the four UK nations. Understanding who has responsibility where you live can help you know who to approach when raising concerns or suggesting changes.

England: School governors / trustees

English schools have governing bodies made up of governors in maintained schools and trustees in academies. At least two governors should be parents, elected by parents of children currently attending the school. Governors have oversight of important aspects of school policy and can play a role in supporting healthy school food. 

• You can contact a governor or trustee to raise concerns or suggest improvements to school food.
• There should be at least one designated link governor or trustee supporting the food policy. You can show your school’s governing body this practical guide by Chefs in Schools to support their statutory responsibilities.

• The National Governance Association also has a very useful e-learning module for parent governors to learn about responsibilities to ensure healthy school food policies.

Scotland: Parent Councils

Whilst councils manage the delivery of school meals for state schools in their area, schools also have a Parent Council, established under the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, which represents families and provides a route for engaging with the school.

• Parent Councils can raise concerns with the headteacher and engage with the local authority on issues including school food.
• As many catering decisions are made by the local authority, the Parent Council can also help raise food issues with the council’s education or catering team.
• Connect (Scottish Parent Teacher Council) provides support and guidance for Parent Councils.

Wales: Governing bodies

Welsh maintained schools have governing bodies, which have responsibilities for overseeing the school and supporting its policies, including those relating to healthy eating.

• You can raise food concerns with a governor or ask about opportunities to engage with the governing body.
• Governing bodies work alongside the local authority, which may manage school catering directly.

Northern Ireland: Boards of Governors

Schools in Northern Ireland have Boards of Governors, which include parent representatives and have a role in overseeing school policies.

• You can contact a parent representative on the Board to raise concerns or suggest improvements to school meals.
• For catering-specific matters, the Education Authority (EA) is an important point of contact, alongside the school.

What is a school food policy?

Schools across the UK have policies, guidance or arrangements that set out their approach to food and drink. The name and requirements for these can vary between the four nations.

As a parent or carer, you can ask your school about its approach to food and request a copy of any relevant policy. If you cannot find it on the school’s website, ask the headteacher or school office.

What parents can expect from a school food policy

A clear school food policy should help you understand:

• What food and drink is provided, including how meals meet relevant nutritional standards.
• How the school supports healthy eating, including snacks, drinks and celebrations.
• How food safety and allergies are managed.
• Who is responsible for school food, from school leadership to catering staff and, where relevant, the local authority or catering provider.
• How parents and pupils can share feedback or raise concerns about school food.

 

Who makes your child’s school meals?

School meal arrangements can look quite different depending on where you live and how your school’s catering is organised.

How are school meals provided across the UK?

• In-house: The school runs its own kitchen, employs catering staff and prepares meals on site. This can give the school greater control over menus and how food is provided.
• Local authority-managed: The council provides or manages the catering service, which may include staff, menus, procurement and contracts.
• Private catering company: The school, academy trust or local authority contracts a catering company to provide school meals. The caterer works to an agreed contract, while the school, trust or council oversees the service.

Who manages school meals in my nation?

• England: All three models are used. Maintained schools may use their own catering service, a local authority service or a private contractor. Academies can also arrange catering independently of the local authority, either directly or through their academy trust. Academy trusts may set catering arrangements or policies across several schools. All state-funded schools, including academies, must meet the School Food Standards.
• Scotland: Local authorities play a central role in school catering, with almost all schools using local authority managed services. If you want to ask questions or suggest changes, your council’s catering or education team may therefore be an important point of contact alongside the school.
• Wales: Local authority-managed catering is common, although arrangements vary between schools. The local authority may manage areas such as menus, staff and contracts.
• Northern Ireland: School catering is generally provided through the Education Authority (EA), although arrangements can vary. The EA manages catering services across many schools, including areas such as catering staff and menus.

Not sure who provides your child’s school meals? Ask your school office or check the school website. They should be able to tell you who manages the catering and who to contact if you have a question or concern.

What does the catering provider do?

• Plan and prepare meals that meet national food standards (which vary by nation - see the School Food Standards section).
• Offer a range of meals and cater for allergies, special diets and cultural needs.
• Help promote healthy eating across the school.

What should I do if I have a question about school food?

• Find out about your child’s school food policy.
• Speak to the school office, headteacher or senior leadership team about menus or catering.
• Contact a school governor or other relevant representative to raise concerns or suggest improvements.
• Ask how the school checks that meals meet the relevant School Food Standards.
• Share feedback through parent surveys, meetings or Parent Councils.

 

Free school meals: What every parent needs to know

Free School Meals help ensure children can access a healthy lunch during the school day and can also unlock extra support for schools. School meals eligibility varies slightly across the UK, because education provision is devolved.

Who is eligible for free school meals where I live?

England

From September 2026, all children in England whose family receives Universal Credit are eligible for free school meals in primary and secondary schools, as well as in maintained Early Years settings where children attend both before and after lunch. 

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already receive free school meals automatically through Universal Infant Free School Meals. However, families receiving Universal Credit should still apply for free school meals, even if their child is already receiving a free meal, so that schools can receive additional funding to support eligible children.

Some children living in families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) as part of immigration conditions may also qualify, although the income thresholds for families with No Recourse to Public Funds are different, reflecting the fact that these families do not receive benefits. 

Scotland

Scotland provides universal free school meals for all children in primaries 1 to 5, meaning every pupil in these years gets a free lunch during term time regardless of income. Families are still encouraged to apply if they meet income‑based criteria so that schools receive associated funding. 

For primaries 6 and 7, children can currently receive free school meals if their family receives the Scottish Child Payment or other qualifying benefits - this is now being delivered as part of the phased expansion of the programme. 

In addition, a ‘test of change’ phase is underway for some pupils in S1–S3 (secondary 1 to 3) whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment, running in eight local authority areas to help further expand eligibility.

Wales

Wales provides universal free school meals for all primary school pupils, regardless of income. Eligibility for meals in secondary remains those in receipt of UC or equivalent benefits with income lower than £7400 before tax after benefits.

Northern Ireland

Eligibility is based on receipt of certain benefits and low household income, and families must apply through the Education Authority to receive support (and often related uniform grants).

How to apply

Applying for free school meals is usually simple. How you apply depends on where you live:

England: Apply through your local council. Visit your council’s website and search “Free School Meals”, or start at GOV.UK: Apply for free school meals.

Scotland: Apply through your local council. Visit mygov.scot or your council’s website and search “Free School Meals”.

Wales: Apply through your local council. Visit your council’s website and search “Free School Meals”, or see the Welsh Government information for parents and carers.

Northern Ireland: Apply through the Education Authority Northern Ireland. You can apply online through the free school meals and school uniform grant application.

Why it’s important to apply (even if meals are universal)

Even where meals are provided for all pupils, registering for free school meals is crucial, and can deliver additional benefits for your child and the whole school.

• Your child may also qualify for additional financial support (such as Pupil Premium), which provides further funding to the school for teaching and support, such as providing booster classes, specialist learning support or subsidising access to school trips and clubs. 
• Your family may be able to access further schemes such as holiday food and activity programmes, uniform grants or additional local council support.
• Your school will have better information and resources to ensure all children have equal access, regardless of family circumstances.