At Hautes Capelles Primary, breaktime is an opportunity for all pupils to eat one of their 5 a day. The school’s fruit and veg snack policy came into effect in January 2024, supported by pupils, staff and parents. One year on, the school has been reflecting on the benefits this change has brought to the school.
“It’s really clear to see how this small change has benefitted our pupils. Our pupil-led food group is still going strong, and they enjoy coming up with new ideas for eating well at school. Parents are also in support, and we now see more fruit and veg being sent in with lunchboxes. We’re lucky as well to have some fruit donated each week from Les Cotils. Eating fruit or veg at breaktime is now so normalised with our pupils, that they readily help themselves to a portion from our decorated hedge veg stalls if they don’t already have a piece in their lunchbox.
It is making children healthier by having a breaktime snack of fruit and veg. Maybe it will encourage children to have more fruit and veg in their lunchbox now.
Before the policy was launched, parents were invited to give their views around food at school. Over 96% of parents reported that they thought it was important for children to eat healthily during the school day, and 93% thought that school rules around food and drink can help support children to eat healthier.
I think it really helps them eat healthily. It’s just clear for everyone to have the same thing and then there’s no discussion.”
The Health Improvement Commission’s work with Hautes Capelles forms part of its wider support package for primary schools to help them build a ‘whole school approach’ to food and nutrition. For more information about how the Eat Well team can help support your setting, email HERE