Drighlington Primary School

For the children and young people, article 27 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, states that every young person has the right ‘to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development’. Good nourishment and nutrition are essential for children and young people to reach their full potential. No child or young person should go hungry, and school meals play a small part in helping to achieve this right.

The school meal contributes between a quarter and a third of daily dietary intake, with children and young people eligible for a FSM getting a higher percentage of their daily nutrients from a school meal. For those children and young people living in poverty, the school meal may be the only substantial meal of the day. Research has also found that packed lunches do not always meet the same nutritional standard as school meals

Results published by Leeds City Council show that a healthy school meal can increase achievement by up to 8% in Key Stage 2 Science and reduce absenteeism by 15%. We at Morley Victoria have a responsibility in supporting pupils to reach their full potential and meet academic outcomes. A child not eating anything for lunch at school, or choosing a meal of poor nutrition, really matters. Not only can this impact on their immediate health and cognitive functioning, but there are potential long term consequences of nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition or obesity.

Our school meals are compliant with the School Food Standards which includes ensuring that the available meal provides at least one portion of vegetables, a source of protein and a type of starchy food. A portion of fruit must also be available as part of the FSM for those children and young people who wish to eat it. This can often be made available as the pudding option.

Each school receives extra funding for Free School Meal pupils called “Pupil Premium”. Pupil Premium (PP) funding is allocated to support pupils who have been eligible for FSMs in the past 6 years. This cohort of pupils is often referred to as the ‘Ever 6’. The government gives primary schools an extra £1,320 per academic year, for each pupil in the ever 6 group to put in place interventions and additional support to narrow the attainment gap between those eligible to receive FSM and those not.