Guidance

School food standards: resources for schools

Resources to help schools plan and provide healthy food in schools.

Applies to England

Documents

Checklist for school lunches

School food standards poster

Details

Resources and advice for all schools and caterers. They offer practical guidance on how to apply the school food standards and make sure healthy options are always available for pupils.

The resources include:

  • guidance for schools
  • a school food standards poster
  • guidance for governors
  • advice on creating a culture of healthy eating
  • guidance on food portion sizes
  • headteacher and school lunch checklists
  • guidance on food allergies

Updates to this page

Published 26 March 2019
Last updated 19 September 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added a link to the Schools Allergy Code in 'Allergy guidance for schools'.

  2. Updated 'School food: guidance for governors': added a link in 'Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure money is well spent' to the 'Get help buying for schools' service.

  3. Updated ‘Checklist for school lunches’ so it shows 3 weeks rather than 4.

  4. Changed headings on 'Checklist for school lunches' to week numbers.

  5. We have updated 'Allergy guidance for schools' with information on prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods and additional resources and links.

  6. 'Portion sizes and food groups' updated: corrected dairy portions for secondary pupils.

  7. Documents converted to accessible formats to meet accessibility requirements. No policy changes have been made.

  8. Added information on food supply chain changes.

  9. Added guidance for schools on food allergies.

  10. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page