TuckIN For Schools
Across Essex more and more schools are signing up and completing their training and pledging to make food better
The School Food Plan is an agreed plan that has the support of the Secretary of State for Education and the organisations supporting head teachers to improve food in their schools.
The plan supports schools to make a cultural change to great food. As part of the School Food Plan, a set of standards for all food served in schools was launched by the Department for Education. The School Food Standards have been mandatory in all maintained schools, new academies, and free schools since January 2015
The 12 councils in Essex have been delivering TuckIN since 2014. The project is regularly reviewed and updated to consciously improve our offering.
TuckIN was created by Environmental Health Officers working in food safety. They understand school catering and how they operate from years of experience. They regularly visit schools and inspect school kitchens, issuing food hygiene ratings and advice. The scheme is suitable for schools achieving a rating of 3, 4 or 5 on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
TuckIN was based on the Responsibility Deal and asks schools to pledge to reduce fat and use healthier fats. Schools are also required to promote the scheme, undertake nutrition training and link in with further complementary schemes, such as the School Food Standards. Each school must make at least 8 pledges and verification of the pledges can be undertaken on the next premises visit.
14.4%of reception age children (age 4-5) are obese, with a further 13.3% overweight.
At age 10-11 (year 6) 25.5% are obese and 15.4% overweight
How to join the TuckIN programme
If you are an Essex based school the TuckIN programme is free to join. Sign up is quick and simple and includes initial online training and downloadable support resources. Certification requires a committment to an understanding of and an agreement to deliver the 8 pledges above to help make food better for your students, staff and your community.