Developing a policy in schools

All schools should ensure that improving the diet and activity levels of children and young people is a priority for action to help prevent excess weight gain. A whole-school approach should be used to develop life-long healthy eating and physical activity practices.

Head teachers and chairs of governors, in collaboration with parents and pupils, should assess the whole school environment and ensure that the ethos of all school policies helps children and young people to maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet and be physically active, in line with existing standards and guidance. This includes policies relating to building layout and recreational spaces, catering (including vending machines) and the food and drink children bring into school, the taught curriculum (including PE), school travel plans and provision for cycling, and policies relating to the National Healthy Schools Programme and extended schools.

Head teachers and chairs of governors should ensure that teaching, support and catering staff receive training on the importance of healthy-school policies and how to support their implementation.

Interventions should be sustained, multicomponent and address the whole school, including after-school clubs and other activities. Short-term interventions and one-off events are insufficient on their own and should be part of a long-term integrated programme.

Implement a food policy which takes a 'whole settings' approach to healthy eating, so that foods and drinks made available during the day reinforce teaching about healthy eating.

Take every opportunity to encourage children to handle and taste a wide range of foods that make up a healthy diet by:

• providing practical classroom-based activities​

• ensuring a variety of healthier choices are offered at mealtimes, and snacks offered between meals are low in added sugar and salt (for example, vegetables, fruit, milk, bread and sandwiches with savoury fillings)​

• ensuring carers eat with children whenever possible.