Southwark Council trials free, healthy school meals pilot

Southwark Council says this is a key moment in the fight against childhood obesity and deprivation in the borough.

Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services states that the move is particularly important given the tough economic times many parents are facing right now.

The move represents a crucial milestone in achieving the council's vision of a borough where everyone can benefit from the opportunities that come from living in the centre of London.

The pilot schools

Ten schools will pilot the scheme in reception and year 1 until the end of this academic year, and then the intention is to begin rolling out the programme in the next academic year - beginning with specific year groups.

The ten primary schools in the pilot programme are Albion, Brunswick Park, Haymerle, Redriff, Riverside, Rye Oak, St Francesca Cabrini, St Jude's C of E, St James the Great RC and Surrey Square.

Our pledge

Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services, said: "We are delighted to be delivering on our pledge to offer free, healthy school meals for primary school children. Our vision is to create a fairer future based on principles that everyone in the borough should have great opportunities.

"Free, healthy school meals is a policy that we believe can make a significant difference to children's lives, education and futures and will be a key way to reduce childhood obesity. And, at a time when the government is cutting financial assistance to children and parents, this policy has never been more important.

"The council believes it is the right of every primary school child to benefit from a free healthy school meal, no matter what their economic background. This is particularly true in lean economic times not just because of the health and educational benefits to all our pupils, but also because of the financial benefits for the least well off in society."

The pilot will run from January to July 2011 with reception and year one pupils. The intention is to begin rolling out the programme in the next academic year.

More information 

The pilot will look at a number of areas including uptake, capacity and the type of meal to be offered. Its purpose is to ensure best value for money is achieved, with proper planning and evaluation.

Southwark has one of the highest child obesity rates in the country, and free, healthy school meals will enable to us to combat obesity in the borough, across all Southwark's children. Obesity is currently estimated to cost the NHS £4.3bn a year. With that figure set to rise, the free, healthy school meals programme could not only save money in the long run but will also improve the health and wellbeing of all the borough's children.

Read our frequently asked questions for more information about the free, healthy school meals pilot.