Written question asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hill of Oareford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 December 2011.

Schools: Lunches

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to ensure that pupils attending academies and free schools receive a school lunch in line with the national nutritional standards.

Answer: Since July 2010, new academies and free schools have not been required to comply with the nutritional standards for school food. They are required to provide lunches where there is demand and free school meals to all pupils who are eligible and wish to take up their entitlement. Academies that opened before July 2010 are required to comply with the nutritional standards. We have no reason to believe that academies or free schools do not provide healthy, balanced meals that meet the current nutritional standards. In fact, the School Food Trust has advised that some of the best schools in terms of attitudes to food and meals are the academies. As part of the broader freedoms available to these schools, we trust the professionals to act in the best interests of their pupils. The School Food Trust will be undertaking a qualitative study to look at the approach taken by academies to providing healthy school food for their pupils in 12 academies in January and February 2012.

Secondary information