We can help schools demonstrate compliance with the School Food Standards.
Independent National Database of Information
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Aims and objectives In order to influence a system, it is necessary to first understand how it operates! The HET INDICATES will provide a framework of understanding and data for those wishing to work within the school meals system This will be achieved by providing an insight into the characteristics of current school catering provision in English schools; explaining the current regulations; reflecting on the roles and responsibilities of the key players; and collecting vital facts and figures. The database will form a baseline from which regular (annual) reviews will be carried out. This will provide opportunity to The purpose of the database is not to monitor or highlight bad practices, so much as to demonstrate good practice and provide examples of good practice for adoption elsewhere. It will provide a vehicle through which good catering practices can be publicised and rewarded. It will provide a mechanism for public communication of quality changes in school catering provision. |
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| Description of the database | |||
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Despite the common recognition that the nutritional quality of school meals needs to be improved and the consequent introduction of Nutrition Standards for school meals in April 2001, there is no readily available and comprehensive source of information on the range and quality of school meal provision in England. This Database aims to fill that void. It will become a collection of data describing the current status of schools catering provision in England. It will focus on gathering information on agreed priority areas of interest, such as the provision of fruit and vegetables and cost analyses across the country. In future years the database will become a monitoring tool for tracking changes in school meal provision since it is planned to complete biennial reviews. The flexible nature of the database will allow specific areas of interest to be investigated at intervals and results reported through the HET website for general access. |
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| Description of data/ fields of interest | |||
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Priority areas
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It is clear that the provision of fruit and vegetables to school children, and education surrounding the principles and importance of a healthy diet are key priorities for anyone responsible for children’s welfare. There are many initiatives being planned and underway. This database will provide opportunity to record details of these efforts and illustrate results, successes and principles to take forward. Issues surrounding the relative cost of school meals and specifically free school meals, deserves close analysis. It is well recognised that the budgetary allocation for school meals is severely limited. Comparisons across the country of policies and practices and the constraints in which the caterer must work can help facilitate improvements in this area. |
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| Potential contributors | |||
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All catering organisations with a school meals service can and should contribute to this database.
Any organisations contributing to programmes within schools for the quality improvement of food intake by school children have a contribution to make to this database. Any organisations or body with a role to play at policy, planning, implementation, auditing of school meal provision can contribute to this database. Any school children, parents or school governors who have information or results of specific projects can make a useful contribution. Comparative information tracking details of previous practices compared to current improved practices surrounding school meal provision would be beneficial. Links to and reporting on other projects of a complementary nature will be welcomed and encouraged. It is not the purpose of this initiative to reproduce work already completed or in progress. It is hoped that cooperation and sharing of information will enhance all work in this important area. |
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| Utilisation of database | |||
| It is envisaged that the database will become a useful point of reference and tool for anyone involved with school meals. By parents, teachers and governors for information and inspiration; ideas of successful practices; ‘how to guides’; reference material to influence change. By Caterers to compare practices and pricing/ quality issues within different areas. By policy makers as an up to date point of reference on practices and statistics By the media as a source of current and accurate information on the quality of school meals provision. |
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Funding and Timescales
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HET acknowledges with immense gratitude the charitable donation which forms the major source of funding for development of this database. Additional funding or in- kind support will help to increase the rate of development of the database and could broaden the scale or depth of data collection and interpretation. Initial planning and preparation for the database is well underway. Data collection will commence in 2002 and results will be posted on the HealthEdtrust.com website as they become available |
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Database Copyright and Production |
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The origination and development of the National School Meals Database is the responsibility of the Health Education Trust (HET). Copyright and ownership belongs to HET. Any use of the published material is acceptable provided Permission is sought from and full acknowledgement is given to the HET. Database Concept: Joe Harvey |
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