Slough Borough Council

Slough school food survey

In September 2006, the Government introduced new standards for school lunches. Slough Borough Council, in partnership with the local Primary Care Trust have surveyed all* Slough schools to establish where we are in Slough with implementation of these regulations.  (*One secondary school did not wish to participate).

Aims

• To establish if schools’ menu cycles meet the new food based standards
• To find out which foods were being chosen by Slough school children

Results

All schools are now working towards the September 2007 standards to ensure healthier options are available throughout the whole school day with the support of the Catering Strategy Group. Twenty three of our schools (all with the central contract) are ahead of schedule and are already meeting the 2008 and 2009 nutritional guidelines – congratulations to those schools!

Primary

• An average of 88% of Slough’s primary schooI children chose a balanced school meal.
• In eight schools every child chose a balanced school meal. 
• Fruit consumption increased from 17% in 2004 to 40% in 2006.
• Vegetable uptake amongst primary children has increased from 78% in 2004 to an average of 87%!

Secondary

• The average percentage of children choosing a balanced meal was 40% - one school had 64% of children choosing a balanced school meal. 
• When including fruit drinks an average of 28% of teenagers consumed fruit.
• Around a fifth of the secondary aged children chose a vegetable!

Our survey also delved behind the scenes to meet those people that serve Slough’s children.  We found them to be very friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming.  They are working hard to ensure Slough’s children have the choice of healthier menus that meet the Government 2006 standards.  We wish them well as they continue to develop their menus and services in line with the revised Government 2007 standards.