improving the dining experience in schools.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
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Improving the dining experience in schools
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Contents
Introduction 3
Benefitsofimprovingpupils’diningexperience 3
Whatisagoodschooldiningexperience? 4
Stepbystepplan 5
Schooldiningexperiencechecklist 19
Integratingwithotherschoolfoodprojects 20
Curriculumlinks 21
Sourcesoffurtherinformation 24
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Introduction Benefits of improving pupils’ dining experience
Thisguidancebookletbrings
togetherideasandsuggestions
foryourschooltohelpimprovethe
experiencepupilshaveatlunchtime.
Withtheexceptionofvoluntary
grammarandgrantmaintained
integratedschools,schoolmeal
provisionandaccommodationisthe
responsibilityoftheeducationand
libraryboards(ELBs).
Ifyouareconsideringimplementing
anyoftheideasorsolutionswithin
thisbooklet,pleasecontactthe
cateringserviceatyourELB,which
willbehappytohelp.Ifyourschoolis
planninganewbuildorarenovation,
considerthecommonissueswithin
thisbookletandtrytoaddressthem
attheplanningstage.
Improvingpupils’diningexperiencewillhavea
positiveimpactontheuptakeofschoolmeals
andthewiderschoolday.
Themainbenefityourschoolcanexpectfrom
improvingthediningexperienceforpupilsisa
happierandcalmerpopulationofchildrenand
youngpeople.Improvingthediningexperience
atlunchtimewillalso:
• encouragepositivebehaviouramongpupils;
• supportincreaseduptakeoffreeschool
meals;
• makeasignificantcontributiontoyourhealth
andwellbeinginspection.
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Gooduseofcolour,images,messages,information,well-planned
seatingandmusiccanhaveanenormouseffectonthesenseof‘space’
inadiningarea.
Pupils’surroundingscanhaveanimpactontheirsenseofwellbeing,
andintermsofchangingtheculture,ethosandunderstandingof
healthyeatingmessages,schoolshavefoundthatfocusingontheir
diningroomsisinvaluable.
Butthereisnosimplesolutionandno‘onesizefitsall’.Oneschool’s
noisyatmosphereisanother’shappeningbuzz.Roundtablesmaywork
inoneschool,whiletallstoolsmaybethesolutioninanother.However,
noamountofgoodseatingandattractivemenusanddisplaysatany
schoolwilltemptthepupilstoeathealthierfoodiftheyarefrustratedby
havingtospendtoomuchtimequeuingduringtheirlunchbreak.
Likeeveryoneelse,childrenandyoungpeoplewillappreciateand
bemotivatedbytherightatmosphereandorganisationintheirdining
space.Todevelophealthiereatinghabitspupilsmustrespectandenjoy
theenvironmenttheysitin.
Asuccessfuldiningspaceisallaboutgooddesign.Justasimportantis
theneedforclearleadershipandasharedvisionofwhatwillwork.Alot
ofvaluableadjustmentscanbemadewithonlymodestchangesanda
smallamountoffunds.
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What is a good school dining experience?
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Anychangestoimprovetheoverallschooldiningexperienceneedstohaveeveryone’ssupport.
Agreatwaytoensurethishappensistoadoptawholeschoolapproach,whereyoucan
developanethosthatsupportsandpromoteshealthandwellbeingandtheparticipationof
everyonewithintheschoolcommunity.
Assesstheneed
Beforeimplementinganychangestotheschooldiningexperience,assesswhatneedstobe
done.Usesurveysanddiscussionstoidentifywhattheproblemsareandanyclearsolutions.
Thiscouldbeachievedatanassembly,parents’eveningorviatheschoolnewsletter.Make
apointofobservingthediningroomexperience.Makenotesandtakepicturestorecord
theareasforimprovements.Theresultswillhelpprovideinformationonwhetherpupilsand
parentswantchangestothediningexperience.Forinspiration,visitotherdiningspaces,cafés
andrestaurants.Takeintheviewsofthewholeschoolcommunity,includingpupils,teachers,
caterersanddiningroomsupervisors.
Formanactiongroup
Anenthusiasticactiongroupmadeupfrommembersoftheschoolcommunitywillbeessential
tofollowthroughwithanychanges.Seniormanagementsupportandinvolvementwillensure
thesuccessofanychangesyoumake.
Manyschoolsdecidetoorganisediningexperienceimprovementsthroughtheirschoolcouncil
orbyformingaschoolnutritionactiongroup(SNAG).Thegroupshouldinvolve:
• aseniormemberoradviserfromthecateringservice;
• arepresentativefromtheseniorschoolmanagementteam;
• pupilsfromtheschoolcouncilortheSNAG,ifinplace;
• aparentrepresentative;
• arepresentativefromtheboardofgovernors;
• ateacherwhohasresponsibilityforhealthandwellbeing.
Alsoconsidersupportfromthewidercommunity,forexamplelocalbusinessesandhealth
professionalssuchascommunitydietitiansandschoolnurses.
Step by step plan
1. Gettingstarted
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Step by step plan
Makeproposals
Alltheinformationyourgroupgathersneedstobemadeintokeyactionpointsthatyourschool
wouldliketotakeforwardandpresenttoseniormanagement.Thereisaneedtoberealistic.
Changestaketimeandcommitmentandcanrequireadditionalfunding.Ensurethatyour
outcomesareachievable.
Ifadditionalfundingisrequired,speaktothecateringmanageratyourELBorsenior
managementteammember.Otherareasforfundingmayincludeyourparentteachers
association.
Implementandreviewactions
Youwillneedtofocusonthebudgetyouhaveavailabletomakethechangesandmeet
regularlytomonitortheprogressofyouractionplan.Youwillneedtoevaluatethechanges
madeandanyimpacttheyhavehadonpupilsandtheschool.
Childrenandyoungpeoplearemorelikelytoeatahealthymealatschooliftheyhaveaseat
andatable.Agooddiningspaceisanexcellentopportunitytogivethemanexperienceofa
diningsituation,whichtheymayormaynotgetathome.Italsopromotessocialskillsanda
timetositandeatwithfriends,providingtimeawayfromthepressuresoftheclassroom.
Maximisingspace
Ifthediningareaisusedasamulti-purposearea,considerpurchasingnewfurniture.Thereare
optionsavailableforfoldableand‘stationarychairs’.ContactthecateringmanageratyourELB,
ortheappropriatememberofstaffwithingrantmaintainedintegratedandvoluntarygrammar
schoolswithresponsibilityforthediningroomanditsfurniture.Adiscussionwiththisperson
mayhelpyoutomaximisethenumberofseatsavailablewhilestillhavingsufficientroomfor
pupilstomovefreelyaboutthediningroom.
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2. Providingagooddiningspace
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Extraindoorspace
Isthereroomtohaveextraindoordiningspaceelsewhere?Thisneedn’tbenextdoortothe
kitchen.Youmaywantanextradiningspaceasanoptionforolderagegroups.Thereareways
thatyoucanmakespacethatisusedforotherpurposesfeellikeadiningspaceduringlunch
break.Speaktoyourcateringmanager,asfoodhygieneandhealthandsafetyissuesneed
carefulconsiderationwhenexploringthisoptionandmayimpactontheprovisionofmeals.
Outsidespace
Ifnotalreadyinplace,istheresomeoutsidespacewhichcouldbeused?Youcouldlookat
areasoftheplaygroundwhichareunderused,considersettingupanawningtoaddshadeon
sunnydays,ortoprotectwhenit’sraining.
Mobilefoodserver
Discusswiththecateringservicethepossibilityofprovidingadditionalfoodserviceareas.
Thesecanbesoupurnsontrolleys,or‘grabandgo’optionsforhealthysandwiches,saladbars
andbakedpotatoes.Ensurethereareseatsandtablesavailable.
Casestudies
• Inanew,largepost-primaryschoolthekitchenhasbeendesignedinsuchawaythatthe
dedicatedsixthformareacanbeservicedthroughoutthedaybythesamekitchenfroma
separateservicepoint.Thepupilshavebeenconsultedaboutthefurniture,whichwill
includearangeofmoremoderncafeteriastyleoptions.
• Anintegratedpost-primaryschoolhasextendedtheirdiningroomtoincludespaceoutside.
Theschoolhasprovidedwoodentablesandbenchesforpupilstoeattheirlunchoutside.
Thisoutsideareaisusedthroughouttheyeardespiteourweather!
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Step by step plan
Makingthediningspacefeelinviting
Placeofrelaxation
Setyouractiongroupanaimtounderstand,fromthecustomer’spointofview,whatwillmake
thediningroomaplaceofrelaxationandcomfort.
Namethediningspace
Haveacompetitiontogivethediningspaceaname,likeacaféorrestaurant.Itpromotes
referencestomeetingandeatingthere.Createanartprojecttodecoratethediningspace,in
keepingwiththenewname.
Displaypupils’artwork
Considerputtinguppupils’artworkorotherdisplayworkandchangingitregularlybased
onthemesorprojectsinyourschool.Youmaywishtochooselocalartworktorepresentthe
themeofthediningarea.Introduceathemedtable,givingeachclassaturnovertheyeartobe
responsibleforthis.
Softmusic
Dependingontheacousticsinthediningspace,musiccaneitheraddordetractfromthenoise
levels.Iftheacousticsareright,softmusichasbeenfoundtorelaxchildrenandyoungpeople,
andcanencouragethemtoreducethenoiselevelssothatthemusiccanbeheard.Themusic
selectionsneedtobesensible,butcanbeausefulincentiveforpupilsiftheyareallowedto
choosewhatisplayed.
Temperature
Reviewthetemperature:isittoohotortoocold,doesthischangewiththeseasons?Speak
tothosewhoareresponsibleforthespaceandlookatpracticalsolutionssuchasheaters,
coolersorcoveringbrightwindowsinsummerwithadjustableblinds.
Colourofthewalls
Ifyourdiningroomistobepainted,considerwhatcolourtouse.Thecolourofthepaintcan
helptocoolorwarmtheroomoraffectthefeelingofspace.Anewbrightcolouronjustone
wallorasectioncouldhelp.
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Definedzones
Agoodwaytomakealargespacefeelmorecomfortableandinterestingistohavedifferent
zonesorspacesdefined.Thisisparticularlyusefulifyouhavedifferentagegroupstocaterfor,
orpupilswithdifferingneeds.Thiscanbedonewithdifferentcolours,furnitureandfurnishings.
Post-primaryschoolsmightconsiderusinglongwallsorroomdividerstocreatespaceswhere
barswithhighstoolsprovideadifferenttypeofspacetoeatin.However,becarefulthisdoes
notcutoutspaceorlight.
Youngerpupils
Inbothprimaryandsecondaryschoolsitisimportanttothinkabouttheyoungestmembersof
theschool.Lookatwaystointroducethemintothebusydiningareagently.Haveadedicated
seatingareawhichisawayfromthehustleandbustleofthequeuesandservery.Someschools
havesetup‘buddy’systemswhereolderpupilsprovideextrasupporttoyoungerpupils.
Casestudy
Alargeprimaryschoolhasbeenrunningasuccessfulbreakfastclub.Over70childrenattend.It
wantedtolookatmakingthebreakfastclubmoreinvitingtoallchildren.Throughhelpfromtheir
ParentTeachersAssociation,theschoolinvestedinalargeplasmaTVandCDplayer.There
areseparateareaswherechildrencanfinishofftheirhomework,read,playgamesorjustchat.
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Step by step plan
Makingaroomusedforotherpurposesfeellikeadiningarea
Stackabletables
Thesearecommonlyfoundinschoolswherethediningroomisusedasamulti-purposearea.
Findtableswhichcanbeeasilystackedorstoredaway,sotheycanbeputinthecornerorina
storeroom.Sometablescomewithwheelstomakeiteasytotransportthem,thoughthesewill
needalargerstoragearea.
Tableclothsandsettings
Usetableclothsonserviceanddisplayareasasaquickandeasywaytochangethe
atmosphereofaroom.Picturesofbrightlycolouredfruitandvegetablesonvinyltablecloths
willreinforcethehealthyeatingmessage,andtheycanalsobewipedclean.Whynothavea
competitiontodesigntheschooltableclothorplacemats?
Menuboards
Menuboardscanallowpupilstoseequicklywhat’sonoffer.Afterlunchtrydisplaying
tomorrow’smenuoutsidethediningroom.Menuboardscanbecolourfulandfun.Speakto
yourcateringserviceifyouwouldliketoconsiderthisoption.
Decoration
Ifthehallisusedforotheractivities,suchasphysicaleducationordrama,considerdecorating
thehallwithajointtheme.Whynothaveasportscafétheme,orathemefromaplayora
ShakespeareorHarryPotterproduction?
Planning
Ifpractical,avoidplanningactivitiesforyourhallimmediatelybeforeorafterlunchtime.Thiswill
reducepressureoncateringstaffforclearingawaytables,andlessenthepossibilityofchildren
andyoungpeoplerushingtheirmeals.
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Staggeredlunchtimes
Ifyouhavetoprovidelunchtoalargegroupofpupils,youmaywanttointroduceastaggered
system.Hereareanumberofdifferentwaysastaggeredsystemcanhelp:
• Haveonelunchtimeperiodwheneveryoneisonabreak,butstaggerthetimeswhenpupils
arriveintothediningroom.
• Haveasetamountoftimeallocatedtolunchforeachyeargroup,butstaggerthestart
timesoftheselunchtimeperiods.
• Someschoolshavehadsuccesswithplanningatimetablewherethestarttimesoflunch
arestaggeredaroundthelastmorninglesson,sothatpupilsstarttheirlunchbefore,during
oraftertheirlastmorninglesson,dependingonwhichdayoftheweekitis.So,onsome
dayspupilswillhavealunchthatstartshalfwaythroughtheirlesson,andtheywouldcome
backtofinishthelessonafterlunch.Thisallowsyoutomixyeargroupseasilyandensure
thatthereisanevenspreadofearlierandlaterlunchtimesforeveryonethroughouttheweek.
Whenlookingatstaggering,ensurethatthesystemyousetupisflexibleenoughtoallow
childrenandyoungpeopletorelaxandenjoytheirfood.
Reviewlengthoflunchbreak
Itmaybethatyourlunchbreakcouldbeextended.Reviewthereasonsforthetimingofyour
currentlunchbreak.Hasitjustalwaysbeenthatway,orhasitbeenchangedtomanage
behaviour?Ifithasbeentomanagebehaviourconsiderotherwaystoapproachtheissue.
Increasinglyschoolsareshorteninglunchbreaks.Thiscanbecounterproductive,leadingto
stressedpupilswhohavehadlittletimetodigesttheirfood,relaxandrecovertoconcentratein
afternoonlessons.
Introduceacashlesssystem
Acashlesssystemcanspeedupthebuyingprocessandisparticularlyusefulinlargerpost-
primarydiningrooms.Thiscanbedoneusingbiometricorswipecardsystems.Ifyourschool
mealserviceisprovidedbytheELB,specificfundingneedstobediscussedandagreed.
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3. Managinglunchtimes
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Step by step plan
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Multiplepoints
Speaktoyourcateringserviceaboutprovidingmultiplepointsatwhichyoungpeoplecan
chooseandcollecttheirfoodaswellasmultiplepointsatwhichtopay.Haveaseparatequeue
topayandaseparatequeueforchoosing.Staffingcostsandspacewillneedtobeconsidered.
Labelfood
Thisenhancespresentationandwhenpupilsgettothefoodcounteritwillreducetimeand
repetitivequestionsaskedofthecanteenstaff.Thiswillalsobeanopportunitytoshowwhether
particularmealsmeetspecialrequirementssuchasnutallergies.
Mealdeals
Considerintroducingmealdeals,whereawholemeal(perhapsconsistingofahotdish,apiece
offruitandadrink)aresetatoneslightlyreducedprice.Thisreduceschoicetimeandcan
encourageyoungpeopletotakehealthiermeals,particularlyiffavourablypriced.
Circulatethemenu
Circulatethemenutoeveryonebeforetheygettothedininghall.Thiswillreducethetime
takentochoosewhattohave.Postalargesignadvertisingthemealsthatday,orthatweek,
outsidethedininghall.Someschoolssendmenusroundatlessontimesandmanyschools
sendmenushome.Thisisagoodwaytoinformparentsabouthowtheirmoneyisbeingspent.
Whereavailable,plasmascreenscanbeusedfordisplayingandpromotingthecateringservice.
Grabandgo
Tospeeduptheprocessofgettingameal,lookatproviding‘grabandgo’menuitems,which
canbequicklypickedupandtakentothetill.Thiscanworkforhealthyfoodoptions.Provide
avariationofgrabandgoitemsdaytodaytoensurenutritionalbalancethroughouttheweek.
Speaktoyourcateringserviceregardingthis.
Pre-orderingsystem
Speaktoyourcateringserviceregardingthissystem.Itisparticularlyusefulforthosewhohave
extra-curricularactivitiesduringtheirlunchtimes.Thecateringservicemayneedtoconsider
aseparatecollectionandpaypoint,ortointroduceaseparateserviceforthosedoingspecial
activitiessuchasschoolcouncilmeetings.Primaryschoolsmightconsiderlettingthepupils
choosetheirmealsduringregistrationandgivingthemcolouredstickerstoshowtheirchoice
whentheygoupfortheirlunch.
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Involvethepupils
Involvepupilsintheprocessofplanningtheirlunchtimesandthefoodavailable.Theywill
appreciatetheimportanceoflunchtimeandhaveagreaterfeelingofownership.Astheyare
thecustomers,lunchtimeshouldfeelliketheirservice.
Designthemenu
Haveacompetition,orclassescouldtaketurnsondesigninganddisplayingtheweeklymenu.
Thiswillattractattentiontothefoodandthediningspace.
Tastersession
Havetastersessionsforparentsandpupilsregularly,andencouragepupilstotryalittleof
somethingnewwheneverpossible.Withpatience,theirpalatescanchangeandtheywillbe
lesslikelytosaynotonewthingsinthefuture.
Attractivefoodpresentation
Ensurethatthefoodlooksfreshandhasnotbeenondisplaytoolong.Haveanattractive
servery,anddishupfromservingdishesifpossible.Anattractivesaladbarnearthetillwill
oftenencouragechildrenandyoungpeopletotakealittlebitofsaladwiththeirmeal.
Promotesocialinteraction
Allowpupilshavingpackedlunchesandhotmealstosittogether.Thiswillpromotesocial
interactionandallowfriendstosocialisewhileeating.Itwillalsoensurethatpupilsdonothave
tomakeadecisionaboutwhethertoeatschooldinnersorpackedlunchbasedonsittingwith
theirfriends.
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4. Encouraginghealthyeating
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Step by step plan
Promotethefood
Thiscanbedoneonspecialoccasionsorperhapsbyintroducingaregularthemedday.Some
schoolshavespecialeventssuchasfoodfestivals,topromotetheworktheyhavedoneon
meals.Themoreschoolfoodispromotedoutsidetheschool,themorelikelypupilswillwantto
beinvolved.
Rewardhealthyeating
Incentivesandrewardschemestopromotegoodbehaviourandhealthyeatingchoicesare
operatingsuccessfullyinmanyprimaryandpost-primaryschools.Supportthisbyhavingrules
ortargetsforhealthyeatingtoensurepupilsareawareofwhatisexpectedfromthem.
Casestudy
AvoluntarygrammarschoolinDungannonhasintroducedanincentivetopromotehealthy
eating.TheSNAGorganisesahealthyeatingcompetitionlinkedtothecashlesssysteminthe
schooldiningroom.Pupilsmaybuildupbonuspointsontheirownpersonalaccountswhen
theypurchasehealthiersnacksormealssuchasfruit,vegetablesorthedaily‘healthyspecial’.
Prizesareawardedattheendofeachtermtothoseineachkeystagewhohavegainedmost
bonuspoints.
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Freeschoolmeals
Insome,butnotallschools,therecanbeastigmaaroundcollectingfreeschoolmeals.Ifitis
anissueinyourschoolthenusingcashlessorticketsystemsforallpupilsmaybesolutionsto
consider.
Specialeducationalneedsanddisability
Diningspacesshouldmeettheneedsofallpupilsincludingthosewithspecialeducational
needs(SEN)anddisability,whethertheycanaccessthespaceindependentlyorwith
assistance.Itisessentialtoconsultthesepupilsabouttheirneeds,andalsotoconsulttheir
parents,teachersandsupportstaff.
Planningconsiderationsshouldcoverissuessuchasqueuingandpayingsystems,viewing
foodoptionsateyelevel,andaccessingseatingareas.Pupilsshouldbeencouragedtomake
theirownlunchchoices.Diningspacesmayrequiremorespaceoraflexiblelayouttoallow
accessforindependentwheelchairusersandtheircarers,tositanddinealongsideothers.
Diningtogetherisasocialexperience,promotingasenseofbelongingandinclusion.Reviewthe
provisionforpupilswithspecialeducationalneedsbringinglunchboxes.Cantheysitintheroom
withtheirfriends,oraretheyseparated?Cantheypurchaseadditionalitemsatlunchtime?
However,somepupilsmayneedamoreshelteredenvironmentwithscreeneddiningspaces
offeringsomeprivacyandaquietcalmspacewithsubduedcolours.
Culturalissues
Workwithyourcatererstoconsidertheneedsofvegetarians,vegans,andcultural
requirementssuchashalal,orkosherfood.Includeaneedsassessmentinapupilsurveytoget
abetterunderstandingofyourschool’sculturalneeds.Clearlabellingwillhelpthechildrenand
youngpeoplemakeappropriatechoices.
Foodissues
Thereareanumberofdifferentfoodissueswhichcanimpactonsomepeople’sexperienceof
eatingmeals.Considerhowthosewhosufferfromeatingdisorderslikebulimiaandanorexia,
thosewithfoodallergies,foodphobiasorpeoplewhoareoverweightorobeseexperience
lunchtime.Balanceanunderstandingoftheirneedswithensuringtheydonotfeelalienatedor
setapartfromotherpupils.
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5. Meetingeveryone’sneeds
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Step by step plan
Newsletters
Writetoparentsaboutanychangestothemenuandupdatethemthroughyournewsletters.If
notdoingsoalready,sendthemenushome,orputtheminaprominentplacesotheycansee
whattheirmoneyisbeingspenton.
Alwaysaskforfeedback
Thiswillallowyoutoknowwhatisworkingandwhatcanbeimproved,aswellasprovidingan
opportunitytoclearupanymisconceptionsabouttheserviceyouprovide.
Inviteparentsforlunch
Inviteparentstojoinlunchtimeswiththepupilsiftheywantto.Thiscouldbeonaparticular
dayoftheweek,orifyouareable,anydayoftheweek.Youwouldneedtoconsiderthecost
implicationforadditionalmeals.
Inviteparentsfortastersessions
Inviteparentsinfortastersessionsduringorafterschool,orintheevening.Itisagreat
opportunitytoinvolvethecateringteamintheevent,totalkaboutanychangeswhichhave
beenintroducedtothefoodservice,andgetdirectfeedbackfromtheparents.Tomaximise
attendance,holdtastersessionsaspartofotherparentevents,egYear1andYear8induction
evenings.
Involveparents
Involveparentsintheprocessofdevelopingthechangesyouplantomake.Someschools
havehadspecialeventssuchasfoodfestivalsorthemedays,topromotetheworktheyhave
doneonmeals.Thiscouldalsobeanopportunitytocollectfundsaswellasraiseawareness.
Parentalconcern
Letparentsknowwhenyouareaddressingspecialissues.Theremaybefearsthatyoucan
easilyalleviate,egbylettingparentsknowwhatyouaredoingtoensuremealsareallergy
friendly.
6. Gainingsupportfromparents
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Lengthoflunchbreak
Asdiscussedonpage11thelengthofyourlunchbreakcanimpactonpupilsinanumberof
ways.
Workinglunches
Lunchtimesareoftenusedforextracurricularactivities,suchassports,clubsorgroups.
Considerprovidingworkinglunchesforclubsandgroups,suchastheschoolcouncilmeeting.
Thiswillaidsocialinteractionswithinthesegroups,increasetheirtimetoeatmeals,andreduce
queuesfortherestoftheschool.
Eatingandsocialtimes
Allocatespecificeatingtimesandsocialtimes.Thisisparticularlysuccessfulinprimaryschools
asitensuresthatchildrendonotrushtheirfoodforplay,andlearntorelaxandenjoysocial
timeinthediningroom.
Casestudy
SeveralprimaryschoolsintheWesternEducationandLibraryBoardarearanascheme
wheretheyinvitedparentsandgrandparentstolunch.Theywereinvitedinondifferentdays
dependingontheyeargrouptheirchildwasin.Theparentsandgrandparentswerehappy
topayfortheschoolmealandsatwiththeirchild.Theexperiencewasenjoyedbyallandit
providedanopportunityforparentstoseewhattheschool’scateringserviceprovided.Many
parentswereunawareofthechoicesavailable.Schoolsthattookpartintheschemenoticedan
increaseinpupilstakinglunchesfollowingtheevent.
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7. Providingthetimetoeat
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Step by step plan
Senseofownership
Thiswillbereinforcedevenfurtherifyoungpeoplehaveasenseofownershipovertheirdining
room.Lookatwaystoensurethatpupilsareinvolvedintheprocessofdesigninganynew
featuresandfutureupdatesinthediningroom.
Removetension
Lookatwaystoremovetensionfromthediningexperience.Forexample,childrenandyoung
peoplecanfeelrushedif,whiletheyarestilleatinglunch,supervisorscomeandclearaway
tables.Queuescanalsobetense.
Promotesocialskills
Inbothprimaryandpost-primaryschoolsitisimportanttothinkabouttheyoungestmembersof
theschool.Ifyouareabletopromotesocialskills,suchastablemanners,andfamiliarisethem
withtheprocessoftheschoolmealinanopenandnon-threateningway,theywillbeableto
carrythisintotheirfutureyearsatschool.
Diningroomrules
Spendtimeinassemblymakinglinksbetweenyourschoolrulesanddiningroombehaviour.
Alternatively,developadedicatedsetofdiningroomrules.Thiswillensurethatpupilswillknow
whatisexpectedfromthematlunchtimeandrulescanbereferredtobystaffpresentinthe
diningroomtoreinforceandpromotegoodbehaviour.
Teachersmixingwithpupils
Lookatgettingteachersinvolvedby,forexample,encouragingthemtositamongthepupils.
Sensitivitiestotheneedsofteacherstohavetheirownbreakshouldbeconsidered.Teachers
inschoolswhohavesuccessfullydonethisspeakofthegreatbenefitstothechildrenand
youngpeople,andstaff-pupilrelationships.
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8. Promotinggoodbehaviour
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Haveyouidentifiedthechangesneededinthediningroom?
HaveyouinvolvedtheschoolcouncilorSNAG?
Haveyoutalkedtotheseniormanagementteamandgottheirsupport?
Haveyoutalkedtotheschoolcateringservice?
Areyouclearaboutwhatyouwanttoachieve?
Isadditionalfundingneeded?
Haveyoumadethebestuseofthediningspace?
Haveyoumadethediningspacefeellikeadiningroom,whenitneedstobeusedforother
purposestoo?
Haveyoumadethespacefeelinviting?
Haveyoumadequeuesasshortaspossible?
Haveyouensuredthatpupilshaveenoughtimetositandeatwhilestillkeepingbehaviourin
check?
Doyouencouragepupilstoenjoyhealthyoptions?
Doyouinformparentsaboutmenuchangesandgettheirsupport?
Haveyouensuredeveryone’sneedsaremet?
Haveyouplannedhowyouaregoingtomonitorandevaluatetheimpactofthechanges
made?
Casestudies
• OneprimaryschoolinNorthBelfasthasintroduceda‘goldentable’torewardgood
behaviourfromchildreninthediningroom.EveryFridaythebestbehavedpupilssitata
specialtablewithatablecloth,flowersandfancyglasses!
• Whenapost-primaryschooldiningroomwasrefurbished,thepupilswereinvolvedinthe
choiceoffurniture,floorandwallcolours.Asaresult,therewasasenseofownershipofthe
environmentandeveryonestillcommentsonhowwellthearealookstoday.
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School dining experience checklist
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Integrating with other school food projects
Therearemanynaturallinkswhichcanbemadetootherschoolfoodprojects,dependingon
yourschool.Linkstoimprovingdiningprovisioncouldinclude:
• Encouragingpupilstomaketheirownbreakfastclubcornerorcaféinthediningroom.
• Ensuringthatwaterisfreelyavailableandpromotedtoallpupilsinthediningroom.You
couldconsiderincentivestoencourageincreasedwaterconsumption.
• Makingsurethat,ifthereisavendingmachineinthediningroom,itisfullystockedforthe
lunch-timeservice,helpingtoreducequeuesandwaitingtimes.
• Usingpostersorpupils’artprojectstopromotehealthiereatingmessagesinthedining
space.
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Thediningroomenvironmentprovidesacontextforawidevarietyofcurriculumlinks.
Primary
Thearts
Pupilscoulddesignamural,sculptureormosaicforthediningroomwall(youmaybeableto
engagetheschoolcommunitytohelpplanandpainttheartwork).Pupilscouldhelptodevelop
anewareatodisplaythemenu.
Personaldevelopmentandmutualunderstanding
Pupilscoulddesignaquestionnairetogatheropinionsfromtheirpeersandfromstaffregarding
improvementsneededtothediningroom.
Mathematicsandnumeracy
Whendrawingupplanstoimprovethediningroomenvironment,pupilswillbeusingand
applyingnumeracyskillsandproblem-solvingstrategies.
Languageandliteracy
Whynotencouragepupilstowriteapoem,songorshortstorybasedonwhattheyeatand
drink?Thiscanbedisplayedinthediningroom.
Post-primary
Thearts
Art and design–awonderfulopportunityforpupilstousetheircreativityandimagination.
Colour,form,texture,patternanddifferentmaterialsandprocessescanallbeusedtocreatean
attractiveandstimulatingsocialenvironment.
Music–encouragepupilstocomposeorproducemusicalpiecesaroundfoodanddrinkthat
couldbeperformedorplayedinthediningroom.WhynotplanaCDofsuitablemusicforthe
diningroom?
Scienceandtechnology
Usingadigitalcameratorecordthediningroomenvironmentbeforethemake-over,pupils
couldcollectfeedbackfromusersregardingsuggestionstopromoteaccessibility,social
aspectsofeatingorhelptoreducequeuing.
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Curriculum links
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Learningforlifeandwork
Local and global citizenship–involvepupilsinaschoolcouncilorSNAGprovidingaforum
wheretheirviewsandopinionswillmatterandcounttowardschange.
Personal development–developingsocialskillsbyeatinganddrinkingwithfriendsandpeers
inthediningroom.
Forfurtheradviceandsuggestionsgoto:
www.ccea.org.uk
www.nicurriculum.org.uk
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Sources of further information
Thefollowinglistprovideslinkstofurther
resourcesandinformationthatmay
supportyouinimprovingyourdiningroom
environment.
TheDepartmentofEducation
www.deni.gov.uk
TheDepartmentofEducation’swebsite
providesinformationontheplanningand
designingofschoolbuildings.
TheDesignCouncil
www.designcouncil.org.uk
TheDesignCouncilsiteprovidesdetails
ofworkdoneinpartnershipwiththe
DepartmentforChildren,Schoolsand
FamiliesinEngland.
TheNorthernIrelandSchool CaterersAssociation
www.nisca.info
TheNorthernIrelandSchoolCaterers
Association(NISCA)wasformedin
January2002.UntilthatdateNorthern
Irelandwasoneofnineregionsofthe
LocalAuthorityCaterersAssociation
(LACA),theprofessionalbody
representingcateringmanagersand
supplierswhoprovideservicestoall
sectorsoflocalauthoritiesinEngland,
WalesandScotland.
See:www.laca.co.uk
ThisresourcewasoriginallydevelopedandproducedbytheHealthPromotionAgencyforNorthernIrelandaspartoftheSchoolfood:topmarksprogramme.ItwasjointlyfundedbytheDepartmentofEducationandtheDepartmentofHeath,SocialServicesandPublicSafety.