Nutrition and Healthy Eating Policy

Transcription

1 Reviewed: June 2016 Next Review: June 2018 Linked Policies: Behaviour Management Reviewed June 2016 Page 1 of 5

2 Introduction Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious, and complies with dietary and religious requirements. Nutrition is a significant factor in the growth, development and overall functioning of a child. Good nutrition provides the energy and nutrients essential to sustain life and promotes physical, emotional and cognitive development. The development of healthy eating practices and physical activity can prevent disease and support a lifetime of good health. Good nutrition is critical to optimizing each child s potential for success. Meeting nutritional requirements throughout childhood is essential to full intellectual development. Research documents tell us that under nutrition impacts on children s behaviour, performance and overall quality of development. Children require sufficient energy and essential nutrients each day to concentrate on accomplished learning tasks. Even mild and under nutrition and short term hunger are barriers to learning. Meals and snacks served should meet children s nutrition needs, provide models of healthy eating patterns, and help children establish good eating patterns at an early age. Aim To work in partnership with families and other professionals to support children in developing healthy eating practices which will become embedded for life. Objectives To provide children with positive healthy eating experiences in order to promote their well being. To respect the different dietary, cultural, religious and health needs of all our children. To encourage children to develop positive attitudes towards food through the curriculum and all the other learning opportunities that are provided in the school. To work with caterers to ensure that nutritional standards are met and kept. To promote an understanding of a balanced diet in which some foods play a greater role than others. To develop children s understanding of the importance of the social context in which eating takes place. To raise awareness with children, parents and carers in developing a positive approach to food, nutrition and oral education. To encourage responsibility and accountability of all parents and carers in offering healthy choices to children. The Importance of Nutrition for Children A nutritionally balanced diet is important in childhood to ensure optimum development at a time of rapid growth. A balanced diet in childhood is not only important for growth but for learning and promoting positive habits towards healthy eating. An inadequate or unbalanced nutritional intake may not only affect growth and development in childhood but may also impact on health problems, such as heart disease and obesity in later in life. It is the types and varieties of food eaten at this time that ensure nutrient requirements are met and that the diet is nutritionally balanced. Reviewed June 2016 Page 2 of 5

3 Children s diet must include an appropriate intake of foods from the four main food groups: Bread, other cereals and potatoes Fruit and vegetables Milk and dairy foods Meat, fish and alternatives Being Healthy Eat breakfast every day Eat fruit and vegetables daily Choose snacks that will provide nutrients to compliment meals Avoid snacks and drinks with a high sugar content between meals Drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated Be physically active every day Brush teeth twice a day and visit your dentist regularly Food and drink All snacks provided at the school are nutritious, avoiding large quantities of sugar, salt, saturated fats, additives, preservatives and colourings. Menus are planned in advanced and food offered is fresh, wholesome and balanced. We offer a balance and variety of snacks to provide a range of cultural and nutritious experiences for the children. Availability of water We have fresh drinking water readily available for children and staff We support the children in recognising that they need to drink water when they are thirsty, hot or tired, or feeling unwell. Special dietary needs and food allergies We are sensitive to the catering needs of children with specific dietary needs, including religious considerations. Parents will be asked about any special dietary requirements their child has before their child starts school. Parents of children who have special diets (for example a gluten-free diet) or who have food intolerances are responsible for providing the school with information about their diet and choices available to the child. We update our records regularly. Menus will be carefully planned and adapted accordingly. Food hygiene The kitchen facilities at the school are inspected on an annual basis in relation to the Food Safety Act. The school adheres to the recommended guidelines and good practices for the preparation and storage of food. Staff directly involved in cooking and the preparation of food in the school, have successfully completed a Food Hygiene Course. Social skills Meals can be times of pleasant social sharing. Opportunities for pupils, teachers, tutors to eat and drink together are provided. This provides an opportunity for students to learn good social skills and behaviour associated with eating and drinking. This also enables staff to monitor healthy eating. Staff keep a discreet eye on those who appear not to be eating well and positive encouragement and peer support is used to encourage poor eaters to make healthy choices. Healthy eating suggestions from parents that will help us expand and improve our selection of recipe ideas are very welcome. Reviewed June 2016 Page 3 of 5

4 Breakfast Club Breakfast is an important meal that should provide 25% of a child s energy requirement and contribute significantly to their vitamin and mineral requirements. The school canteen does provide the option of breakfast for students. The Family Support Team (FST) operates a free breakfast club for vulnerable students on a daily basis. Drinking Water Students are encouraged to drink water in lessons to promote their well-being and promote learning. The National Nutritional Standards for Healthy School Lunches recommend that drinking water should be available to all pupils, every day, and free of charge. The school agrees with this recommendation and provides a free supply of drinking water and will encourage pupils to drink at frequent intervals throughout the day. Water is available at 3 drinking fountains free for all students. Students should bring their own water bottles for use throughout the day and must ensure they are kept clean. Energy Drinks The consumption of fizzy or energy drinks (Coca Cola, Sprite, Lucozade, Red Bull, Monster, Powerade etc.) on school premises is banned, a measure which is in-line with the majority of schools nationally. A variety of studies have been published recently which highlight the fact that the stimulants (e.g. caffeine and high levels of sugar) that are contained within energy drinks can cause loss of concentration, anxiety and irritability amongst students. As a school we believe that allowing energy drinks is contradictory to the aims and objectives of our policy. Students are only permitted to consume the following healthy drink options in school: water, flavoured water, fruit juice or milk. Any student found in possession of energy drinks will face sanctions in-line with the School s Behaviour Management Policy. Sweets and Foods high in sugar The school does not encourage the regular eating of sweets or other foods high in sugar or fat. Festivals and celebrations At The Vyne Community School we celebrate different festivals and celebrations. We recognise that festivals can provide a valuable opportunity for children to experience diversity from a wide range of cultures and nationalities and the contribution they make to the variety of foods eaten in Britain today. The Vyne Community School has achieved the Healthy Schools Standard and will continue to promote a healthy life style and choices. The school nutrition policy is one aspect of our commitment to this. Biometric Cashless Catering System The benefits of this are as follows:- 1) No cash required to be carried by students - this contributes to the Anti-Bullying Policy 2) Quicker queuing, more social and interaction time 3) Parents can monitor what their children are eating on a daily basis. This can help the monitoring of healthy eating. 4) Can restrict spending per day if required Reviewed June 2016 Page 4 of 5

5 Guidelines a) Review with subject leaders relevant curriculum lessons to ensure that information relating to food and nutrition is consistent and up-to-date. b) Work with the school caterers to ensure healthier options and themed days. c) Ensure that the Government compulsory nutritional standards, as outlined in Appendix A are met. Also refer to Childrens Food Trust d) Consult with the student council to obtain their views on improvements and to implement these. e) To provide students with free Bananas at break times as a healthy source of energy. f) Promote healthy eating and drinking in our prospectus and in newsletters to parents. APPENDIX A Nutritional standards (Minimum Guidelines) At least two items from each of the following food groups must be available every day and throughout the lunch service. 1. Starchy foods such as bread, potatoes rice and pasta. At least one of the foods available in this group should not be cooked in oil or fat. For example, if one option is roast potatoes, another option could be boiled rice. 2. Vegetables and fruits. 3. Milk and dairy foods. 4. Meat, fish and alternative (non-dairy) sources of protein. 5. Red meat must be served at least three times a week. 6. Fish must be served at least twice a week. Monitoring and Evaluation This policy, its procedures and activities will be monitored and reviewed periodically by staff and Governors of the Pastoral Committee and the Student Council. Date reviewed June 2016 Date of Next review June 2018 NUTRITION AND HEALTHY EATING POLICY PASTORAL COMMITTEE Approved Committee Chair (Debbie Blackmore) Date Approved Headteacher (Mark Kingswood) Date Reviewed June 2016 Page 5 of 5