AQW 37186/11-15
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 08/10/2014
Answered On Date: 17/10/2014
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline the ways in which his Department is collaborating with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to promote and encourage healthy eating in primary and post-primary schools.
Answer:
The Department has proactively sought to promote and encourage healthy eating in our schools working closely with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and a range of initiatives are in place reflecting this collaborative approach. I would refer the Member to my answer to her earlier assembly question (AQW 37183/11-15) published in the Official Report on 17 October which details some of the actions taken forward jointly by my Department and the DHSSPS in this regard including the development and publication of the joint “Food in Schools Policy” (the Policy) and the associated nutritional standards for school food. In seeking to support schools to implement the Policy and the nutritional standards a Food in Schools Forum (the Forum) was established jointly by DE and DHSSPS. The Forum provides strategic leadership and guidance on food in schools. A key aspect of the Forum’s remit is to consider and identify how healthy eating may be promoted and encouraged in schools reflecting the aims and objectives of the joint Policy. Officials from both Departments are represented on the Forum along with representatives from the Education and Library Boards, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Safefood. Through the Forum a range of measures have been and are being progressed to ensure that schools and the school catering service are equipped with the necessary resources to promote and encourage healthy eating. This includes, for example, a range of Essential Guides (produced on behalf of DE/DHSSPS by the Public Health Agency (PHA)) which have been circulated to schools and which provide advice on, for example, the provision of healthier breaks, fresh drinking water, and healthier breakfast clubs as well as advice on how to establish a whole school food policy and how to improve the school dining experience. The Guides aim to help schools improve pupils’ nutrition and implement healthier eating and drinking practices and include clear advice on the actions schools should take to encourage and promote each of these aspects of the Policy. The DE/DHSSPS jointly funded regional Food in Schools Coordinator post has enabled a Food in Schools central resource to be developed using the C2k Fronter application (C2k’s virtual learning environment). This resource – known as the “food @ my school” room - provides up to date information for schools in relation to promoting healthy food and nutrition in schools, highlighting relevant and curriculum-focused resources as well as sharing examples of how a whole school approach to all food in schools improves the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff. This is a key method through which the Departments are working to promote and encourage healthy eating in schools and raise awareness among principals and teachers. In February 2014 DHSSPS and DE participated in the Food in Schools Policy Conference hosted by Stranmillis University College. The aim of the conference was to raise awareness and understanding of the Food in Schools policy within schools and to support schools in implementing it effectively. The Conference included presentations on a number of issues relating to food and nutrition which are available on ‘food @ my school’ room as a useful resource for schools.
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