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SCHOOL FOOD AND BREAKFAST CLUBS

To Mark National School Breakfast week earlier this month, our latest guest blog from Registered Public Health Nutritionist Ali Morpeth discusses Labour’s Breakfast Club Policy and the benefits of universal provision to children and families. 2024

Currently approximately 250,000 children living in some of most deprived households in England are not receiving the free school meal that they have a right to. The DfE estimates that approximately 11% of pupils entitled to means-tested FSM are not registered. Parents do not register their child for free school meals due to a multitude of reasons and the registration process differs across local authorities and schools. Recently a number of local authorities have piloted so called ‘auto-enrolment’ which requires the local authority to ‘scape’ and match data (e.g. data from revenues and benefits with FSM registration). This normally works on an opt out basis in which the local authority sends the parents/carers a letter offering them the chance of opt out of the process. Such local efforts have shown that this approach not only significantly increases the number of pupils registering for FSM but also increases the associated pupil premium paid to schools. Whilst we applaud such efforts from local authorities, it seems that a much more efficient, national solution is at hand. A data agreement between the DfE and the DWP would, with some modification to the existing systems, allow claimants of benefits that meet the criteria for means tested FSM to be assessed at the point of claim. Thus, reducing administrative work and checks, and reducing pressure on cash strapped local authorities. These two presentations highlight the need to broaden FSM entitlement. 

This study explores the perceptions of key stakeholders regarding fairness and accessibility of school meals for BMSC, as well as discussing school food provision for those maintaining a religious diet in light of social justice. 2024

An exploration of how school meal uptake and individual dietary uptake during the secondary school day can be improved to support pupil's health, wellbeing, attendance and educational attainment. 2024

A report produced in collaboration with the N8 Research Partnership, Child of the North, Health Equity North and a number of universities outlines overwhelming evidence that the health of children and young people in the UK is getting worse and children’s education, as well as physical and mental wellbeing, is being impacted by inactivity and unhealthy diets and provides and overview on how the government can reset their vision for children. 2024

A chapter in the Routledge International Handbook on Equity and Inclusion in Education. 2024

The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of secondary school food policy (SSFP) across the devolved nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to offer insights into a growing area of policy concern. 2024

London’s Universal Free School Meals provision could come at a cost to primary schools

The Greater London Authority planned to deliver universal free school meals to all primary school children across London, however the scheme could result in significant losses in school funding through a drop in pupil premiums. To estimate how much income may be lost, researchers in ���ϲ�����’s Healthy Living Lab used school census data from the Department for Education and a DfE report that stated that 11% of parents whose children are eligible for free school meals but are not registered to receive them.

The papers included in this Research Topic clearly show how schools, and school feeding programs, are central to all educational recovery programs in building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022

A case study prepared by the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition, an initiative of the School Meals Coalition. 2022

This study aimed to explore the relationship between initial school closures and children’s health by comparing health and well-being outcomes collected during school closures (April–June 2020) via HAPPEN (the Health and Attainment of Pupils in a Primary Education Network) with data from the same period in 2019 and 2018 via the HAPPEN Survey. 2021

A case study with Feeding Britain that recommends children in receipt of free school meals should be able to 'carry over' unspent money from their electronic cards to make the system more equitable for all pupils. 2020

A review of the academic literature published on children’s breakfast consumption and the impact of school breakfast clubs on children’s diet, health, and educational success. 2020

An article covering the release of a report that looks at the millions of pounds allocated by the government to feed some of the poorest children in the country and why it is unaccounted for. 2019

A working paper which estimates that universal free school meals across London may come at a cost to pupil premiums. 2019

The issue of ‘holiday hunger’ (i.e. food insecurity during school holidays) has received increased attention in recent years, though research in this area is limited. 2019

A submission (CIE0042) to the Education Select Committee inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services. 2020

An end of programme report into the success of a training programme – developed in partnership with Kellogg’s – for schools and community groups involved in the implementation or delivery of breakfast clubs during 2016-17.

This research investigates the views of staff and volunteers working in holiday clubs to gauge their views about the needs and benefits of holiday food provision. The investigation revealed that staff and volunteers believe that holiday clubs are a valuable source of support for children and adults, providing food, activities, and learning experiences.  

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2016.

This study assessed senior stakeholder views on the processes and potential outcomes on different groups, within the communities served by school breakfast programmes. 

Published in Public Health Frontiers, 2016.

A study of directly observed children's behaviour within breakfast club settings to devise a set of observational criteria and investigate the occurrence of positive and negative behaviours.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2015.

An investigation of attendance at breakfast clubs and after school clubs to assess their impact on children's friendship quality and experiences of peer victimisation.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2015.

An investigation into the views of parents, children and school staff on school breakfast clubs.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2015.

A study to investigate the beliefs, views and attitudes, and breakfast consumption behaviours among key stakeholders served by a council-wide universal free school breakfast initiative in the North West of England.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2015.

HAF

Numerous research findings have shown that parents perceive that HAF supports school readiness. In our latest research project, we partnered with Love Amelia to evaluate an addition to the HAF programme. School backpacks filled with essentials were provided to 2000 children attending HAF. The project was co-produced with schoolteachers, parents, children and businesses, and the findings are extremely positive in supporting children in returning to school following the summer school holiday. This project provides an excellent example of how charities and businesses can work together to add additional value to a government funded project. 2024

An evaluation of Birmingham's HAF programme. 2023

A report seeking to highlight both individual and cost benefits associated with the HAF programme in Birmingham. 2023

A report commission by Leading Link to evaluate Northumberland's Summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

An evaluation of the holiday programme in Sunderland to gain an understanding of the perceived needs of the community during the summer holidays; the types of holiday club provision on offer, and their objectives; and the perceived outcomes for parents and children

This study aims at evaluating the nutritional quality of food provision at HAF holiday clubs, particularly hot/cold and vegetarian/non-vegetarian meals. 2023

A study which explores the implementation, delivery, and perceived facilitators, barriers and impacts of nutritional education across a number of Local Authorities delivering HAF in England.

In this study, qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives from three Local Authorities in the North East of England who were responsible for overseeing the implementation and delivery of HAF programmes in their Local Authority area to examine how the summer HAF programme was implemented during summer 2021. 2022

This study uses original in-depth inter­views with 11 individuals in municipal or county food policy positions to understand the purpose and function of governmental food policy staff positions and their impact on local food systems. 2021

This paper reports results of an evaluation of 17 holiday clubs located throughout North East England that ran during the summer of 2017, designed to reduced summertime food insecurity. 2021

During the school summer holidays, pressures on the already tight budgets of low-income families are compounded, particularly when the safety net of free school meals is removed. The main aim of the current study was to investigate how low-income parents and carers feed their families during term time when children receive free school meals and if, and how, strategies differ during the school summer holidays. 2021

This timely and much-needed book focuses on the phenomenon often referred to as "holiday hunger" in the United Kingdom. 2021

An investigation into the views of children and young people into holiday provision across three holiday clubs in Northern Ireland.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2021

This qualitative study investigates the views of senior stakeholders (N = 15) who are responsible for facilitating or implementing programmes of holiday provision to determine the need for holiday provision, examples of best practice for delivering programmes of holiday provision and barriers for effective delivery. 2020

The purpose of the current review is to provide a very broad overview of the food insecurity literature, including definitions, measurement, areas of study, and impacts on health. Importantly, this review suggests there are two major causes of food insecurity in the advanced nations: economic inequality and neoliberalism. 2020

An exploration of the potential relationship between club provision and children's health, nutrition and wellbeing, as well as the potential relationship between club provision and parents' stress, isolation, financial strain and overall wellbeing. 2020

Summer is a stressful time of year for many parents as they struggle to meet household expenses and feed children. This study looked at the association between holiday hunger and parental stress among a sample of UK parents with school age children living in North East England, finding that holiday hunger caused considerable distress among parents during the summertime.   

Published in Sustainability, 2020.

One benefit of holiday clubs is that they provide healthy food to low-income children when schools are not in session. While holiday clubs are known for feeding children who may go hungry, they also provide additional anti-poverty benefits that strengthen community wellbeing. This research documents the important additional benefits beyond food that holiday clubs deliver to food insecure households.  

Published in The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2020.

Opinion piece for The BMJ. 2019

Childhood poverty is rising in the United Kingdom and now impacts 3.9 million children (McCall 2016, p. 747). As a result, more children experience poor nutrition and hunger. This chapter focuses on the concept of “holiday hunger” as one aspect of poverty that threatens the wellbeing of children. 2018

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Kitchen Social programme at the individual, family and community level, as well as developing a fuller understanding of the context in which the hubs operate. 2018

Holiday hunger in the UK has led to the establishment of hundreds of holiday clubs that feed children during the school holidays. This research examines where those clubs are located and if they are being established in communities where they are needed the most.  

Published in Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 2018.

Summer learning loss is a problem for many UK households with school aged children. This research examined learning loss in spelling and word reading for school children in disadvantaged areas in the North East of England and west of Scotland who did not attend a holiday clubs over the summer. 

Published in Frontiers in Public Health, 2017.

Holiday clubs help feed children in the UK during school holidays, but it is not clear whether they reduce food insecurity in a child’s household. This research surveyed parents and other caregivers about food security in their households and found that holiday clubs may serve as an important resource to help reduce holiday hunger across the UK. 

Published in Health and Social Care in the Community, 2017.

HAF+

This paper presents learnings based on a series of co-design interventions with young people in four English local authorities to a) design age-appropriate Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes and b) impact national policy. 2024

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, funded by the Department of Education (DfE), is open to children and young people, aged 516 years of age who are in eligible for free school meals, with a small proportion of the budget for the inclusion of other children and young people (e.g. SEND). However, during evaluation our researchers noted lower levels of engagement iwth the programme than expected in 13-16 year olds. This piece of work is the result of a national sprint with young people to design a programme tailored to them. 

A policy paper from INSIGHTS NE. 2024

COMMUNITY FOOD POLICY AND PROGRAMMES/OTHER

NIHR funded pilot study which, following the Covid-19 lockdown, measured food insecurity in five wards in local authority area located in the North East of England to inform the future provision of food aid. 2024

The present study investigated potential predictors of food insecurity among UK university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2024

A study aimed to investigate the extent to which effects of income on stress and well-being are mediated by food insecurity, whilst accounting for the effects of family size.

A report commissioned by Newcastle City Council to independently evaluate the Partnership for People and Places project (PfPP) a pilot scheme and the co-location of council services in community settings using Ripple Effects Mapping. 2023

Opinion piece in BMJ. 2022

Pilot study exploring food insecurity, food waste, food related behaviours and cooking confidence of UK consumers following the COVID-19 lockdown in the British Journal of Food. 2021

This paper draws upon the concept of recreancy to examine the mental well-being of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2021 

A paper which provides evidence of the impact of Covid-19 on higher education students’ levels of food security and lived experiences. 2020

The coronavirus crisis has shone a light on pre-existing social, economic and health inequalities. This article examines what has been done to support children who rely on free school meals and holiday clubs to access healthy, nutritious food. 2020

A policy paper from the Healthy Living Lab and Feeding Britain revealing the lengths to which millions of people in the UK are going to keep themselves and their families. 2020  

A submission (CIE0186) to the Education Select Committee inquiry on The impact of Covid-19 on education and children’s services. 2020