LACA reacts to report on free school meals pilot scheme
Commenting on findings that universal free school meals can have a significant positive impact on attainment for primary school pupils, LACA National Chair Lynda Mitchell said :
"The research findings from the National Centre for Social Research, the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Bryson Purdon Social Research confirm what we have known for some time – that healthy school meals not only improve concentration and attainment, but also have other wide-reaching benefits.
"The Free School Meals Pilot scheme also identified other positive outcomes, such as effective partnership working, a shift in the types of food eaten at lunchtime and an increase in take-up prompted by factors such as cost-savings, improved dining facilities and the quality of food available.
"LACA is pleased that the hard work of its members is resulting in improvements for children and young people. The report underpins the importance of a healthy meal and the positive outcomes that can be achieved, and I hope that this will be given careful consideration in future discussions on school food policy."
Here is the link to download the full report:
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RB227.pdf