Our initiatives in schools
We’re on a mission to improve children’s health and wellbeing by making sure they get the best food education possible.
Through our flagship education programme, Food - a fact of life, we are working to instil a culture of healthy eating and food literacy in children and young people, helping them to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
We help schools integrate comprehensive food and nutrition education into their curriculum, so that pupils get a well-rounded understanding of the importance of nutrition in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our work is informed by members of four Education Working Groups in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Working closely with teachers, we aim to make food and nutrition education an integral part of the learning experience, with age-appropriate materials and resources for early years, primary and secondary pupils.
Claire Theobald, Education Services Manager, British Nutrition Foundation
Food - a fact of life
The cornerstone of our work in schools is the Food - a fact of life programme. The programme meets the requirements of food and nutrition curricula across the UK. It also aligns with other subjects including design and technology, health and wellbeing, science, numeracy, literacy, geography, religious education, and RSE and health education.
Food - a fact of life is founded on a whole school approach. It provides advice and guidance on policy matters relating to the dietary requirements of children and young people and provision of food throughout the school day.
This dynamic and interactive education programme is themed around healthy eating, cooking, and where food comes from. It is designed to inspire pupils of all ages with engaging lessons and resources, such as quizzes, videos, and interactive games. The programme also supports trainee, new, non-specialist and more experienced teachers through guidance and professional development.
Food - a fact of life covers essential topics, such as the principles of a healthy balanced diet, how to plan, cook and prepare food, and food provenance and production. Its versatility allows teachers to tailor content to specific needs and foster a deeper understanding of food that extends beyond the classroom.
The Food - a fact of life programme cultivates critical thinking and decision-making skills, empowering children and young people to independently make informed food choices.
We also provide careers information about working in 'food' for schools, pupils and parents.
Food - a fact of life is managed by the British Nutrition Foundation, in partnership with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Collaboration with others
To ensure the breadth, depth, consistency and rigour of food and nutrition education across the UK, we work with practising teachers, universities, government, awarding organisations, and other stakeholders such as CLEAPSS and the Design & Technology Association.
Monitoring and evaluation
We evaluate feedback and analyse data to measure the impact of our work. This enables us to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of our training and resources and refine these, as needed.
Teaching Primary Food and Nutrition
In November 2022, with support from the All Saints Educational Trust, we launched a free two-year training programme – Teaching Primary Food and Nutrition (TPFN). This programme was created for teachers, trainee teachers and teaching assistants in primary settings across the UK.
Championing a whole school approach to food, the training provided the knowledge and practical skills needed in the classroom and included topics from food safety and hygiene to knife skills, healthy eating, and helping children understand the farm to fork journey of their food.
Each TPFN participant received a personal portfolio providing information, advice and ideas as well as tools to audit, evaluate, and reflect upon their teaching and learning.
This session was incredibly helpful. I feel like I have more confidence and direction on teaching cooking to primary children and how to lay this out, ensure safety, and ensure the children have the best experience.
Teaching Primary Food and Nutrition participant
Overview and rationale
The British Nutrition Foundation has four Education Working Groups around the UK which formally meet on an annual basis. The Groups comprise practising teachers, awarding organisation representatives, initial teacher education personnel/trainers and government officials.
The British Nutrition Foundation Education Working Groups:
- Contribute to the robust independent governance of the Foundation and in particular its education work.
- Provide expertise in food and nutrition teaching and learning.
- Advise on and critically appraise British Nutrition Foundation education plans and activities.
- Provide insight and intelligence on curriculum and qualification change.
- Highlight changes, challenges and opportunities in teaching pedagogy and classroom practice.
- Offer a sounding board to discuss whole school food issues.
- Discuss needs for initial teacher education/training and continuous professional development.
- Provide insight into real life experiences of food and nutrition education in our schools today.
The British Nutrition Foundation is proud to have these expert groups to support our work in food education.
You can find a full list of our Education Working Group members below:
English Education Working Group
Louise Attwood
AQA
Rosalie Forde
Three Ways School
Tracey Goodyere
Birmingham City University
Helen Grundy
Health for Life Programme Manager
Andrew Hartshorn
Finham Park 2
Kevin McGuinness
Mossley Hollins
Ms Susanne Parker-Morris
Worcester University
Elizabeth Tydeman (observer)
DHSC
Dave Parry
D&T Adviser, CLEAPSS
Suzi Lombardelli
Ricards Lodge High School
Sarah Lyles
Surrey Healthy Schools
Cris Cohen
FEASTED
Kate Findlay
Head of Design & Technology (D&T Associate Inspiration Trust)
Northern Ireland Education Working Group
Jan Stewart
Royal School Dungannon
Mairead Davidson
University of Ulster
Shirley Davidson
Omagh Academy
Glynis Henderson
Education Consultant
Jayne Lloyd
Methodist College
Jemma Theobald
Education Authority
Amanda McGarry
North Coast Integrated School Coleraine
Laura McGreevy
St Columbanus’ College
Joanne O’Neill
Magherafelt High School
Ryan Richie
Lagan College
Hannah Somerville
McKinney Primary School
Lois Trimble
McKinney Primary School
Dorothee Wagner
CCEA
Liz Simpson
CAFRE
Cathy Hopkins
FSA Northern Ireland
Scottish Education Working Group
Louise Wright
Education Scotland
Claire Eddie
Education Scotland
Carla Bell
Alloa Academy
Emma Creechan
Carluke High School
Graeme Findlay
Scottish Qualification Authority
Ann Floyd
HM Inspector of Education
Elaine Gardiner
University of Strathclyde
Lara Henderson
St Timothy’s Primary School
Megan Johnston
Alexandra Parade Primary
Emma Juskowiak
Calderside Academy
Isla Porteous
St Joseph’s College
Laura Wilson
Food Standards Scotland
Welsh Education Working Group
Amy Bergiers
Nantgaredig Primary School
Aranwen Morgans-Thomas
Estyn
Lisa Lewis
Cardiff Health Promoting Schools Team
Lloyd Henry
Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr
Mike Lewis
Welsh Joint Education Committee
Kathryn Mallows
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
Jo Nicholls
Aberdare Community School
Meg Taylor
Ysgol Calon Cymru
Sarah Smith
Whitchurch High School
Contact us:
To learn more, please contact the Education team at education@nutrition.org.uk