Preparing for the new School Food Standards (Catering Leeds schools only)

A practical course supporting school staff to meet the new School Food Standards (Catering Leeds schools only)

In-person training for school staff and leadership, to support preparation for the implementing the new School Food Standards, with a focus on leadership, compliance and whole-school culture.

Details

We welcome schools who work with Catering Leeds for their food provision to attend this course. If your food is provided through in-house catering or by a private provider, please book onto the same event on 3rd February 2027.

This practical course is designed to support schools in understanding and preparing for the proposed statutory updates to the School Food Standards, planned from September 2027. The proposed changes outline a move towards stronger alignment with current nutritional guidance, including reducing sugar, increasing fibre, and taking a more consistent whole-school-day approach to food provision.

These changes go beyond catering compliance and require a strategic, whole-school response. This training will explore the implications for leadership, including policy development, provision across the school day, oversight of catering, and alignment with wider priorities such as health, wellbeing and inclusion.

Schools will be supported to review, update or develop a whole-school food policy that promotes a consistent approach to healthy eating across the school community. The training will provide practical guidance and resources to help schools create a robust policy, particularly in light of proposed School Food Standards changes that may require schools to publish their food policy on their website.

The session will also highlight how effective implementation contributes to Ofsted expectations, particularly within personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and the creation of a positive school culture. Delegates will be supported to consider how school food provision can strengthen pupil outcomes, support disadvantaged pupils, and demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles.

Outcome

By the end of the course, leaders will:

- Understand the key proposed changes to the School Food Standards and their strategic implications.
- Check current menus for compliance and identify changes required
- Identify leadership responsibilities in ensuring compliance and driving whole-school implementation.
- Understand how the School Food theme of the Healthy Schools Framework can support leadership and a whole-school approach to food.
- Evaluate current provision across the school day, including catering, breakfast, breaktime, after school clubs, policies and food culture.
- Explore practical actions to prepare for and embed changes effectively.
- Understand how to develop, review and implement a whole school food policy
- Strengthen understanding of how school food provision supports Ofsted judgements, particularly in personal development, behaviour and whole-school ethos.

Trainer

Health and Wellbeing Services

Booking information

Health & Wellbeing Service Level Agreement (SLA) credit value = 1 credit.

Cost: £139 per delegate.

Schools with a current Health & Wellbeing SLA may be entitled to pre-paid places subject to sufficient available training credits. The full 'pay as you go' price will be applied if you have insufficient training credits.

• Please note that drinks/refreshments are not provided at this session. Delegates are, however, welcome to bring their own drink/snack. (Hot and cold water will be available).

Cancellations:
If you cancel your booking we require at least 5 working days notice. Failure to provide such notice or non attendance will result in your school being charged in full if using ‘pay as you go’. Leeds schools with a current Health and Wellbeing SLA package who do not inform us within 5 working days will incur an administration charge of £30/delegate.

For further information please contact schoolwellbeing@leeds.gov.uk