Sandal Magna Junior & Infant School

Packed Lunch Policy

Aims of the policy

·         To ensure that all packed lunches brought from home and consumed in school (or on school trips) provide the pupil with healthy and nutritious food that is similar to food served in schools, which is now regulated by national standards.

·         To make a positive contribution to children’s health and Healthy Schools Status.

·         To encourage a happy and calm population of children and young people.

·         To promote consistency between packed lunches and food provided by schools which, from September 2007, must adhere to national standards set by the government.

·         To support our efforts to enable all pupils to achieve their maximum potential

·         To contribute to the self-evaluation for review by Ofsted.

National guidance
 The policy was drawn up using a range of national documents including information and a draft policy from the School Food Trust, the Food in schools toolkit (Department of Health) and Food policy in schools – a strategic policy framework for governing bodies (National Governors’ Council, (NGC) 2005).

Where, when and to whom the policy applies
To all pupils and parents providing packed lunches to be consumed within school or on school trips during normal school hours.

Food and drink in packed lunches

·         The school will provide facilities for pupils bringing in packed lunches and ensure that free, fresh drinking water is readily available at all times.

·         The school will provide appropriate dining room arrangements

·         The school will work with parents to ensure that packed lunches abide by the standards listed below.

·          The school will ensure that packed lunch pupils and school dinner pupils will be able to sit and eat together.

Packed lunches should include

·         at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day e.g. apple, banana, orange, sliced cucumber, tomato, carrot, lettuce,

·         meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus, peanut butter ) every day

·         oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks

·         a starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day.

·         dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard everyday

·         only water, fruit juice, milk, yoghurt or smoothies.

Packed lunches should not include:

·         snacks such as crisps. Instead, include seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat).  Savoury crackers or breadsticks served with fruit, vegetables or dairy food are also a good choice.

·         confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets. Cakes and biscuits are allowed as part of a balanced meal.

·      Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages / chipolatas should be included only occasionally.

Special diets and allergies

The school also recognises that some pupils may require special diets.  Parents should ensure the school is aware by speaking to the headteacher, deputy headteacher or class teacher.

Pupils are also not permitted to swap food items.

Assessment, evaluation and reviewing
Packed lunches will be regularly reviewed by teaching staff  and midday meal supervisers. 

 If a child regularly brings a packed lunch that does not conform to the policy then the school will contact the parents to discuss this.

Involvement of parents/carers:

Parents of pupils wishing to have packed lunches are expected to provide their children with packed lunches which conform to the packed lunch policy. In turn, the school will keep the parents informed as per the methods detailed below under “Dissemination of the Policy”. 

Dissemination of the policy: 

The school will ensure all new and existing parents/carers are aware of the policy.

The policy will be incorporated into the school prospectus.

The school will use opportunities such as parents evenings, induction meetings, workshops and Healthy Living activities to promote this policy as part of a whole school approach to healthier eating.

All school staff, including teaching and catering staff and the school nurse, will be informed of this policy and will support its implementation.