Healthy school meals are about much more than what is served at lunchtime, according to a Shropshire education trust which has welcomed new national reforms.
Four Hills Education Trust says helping children understand healthy choices should be part of their wider education, as the Government announces major changes to school food standards.
The trust, which runs primary schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, already places a strong emphasis on healthy menus, with fruit available as a snack and healthy eating discussed in the classroom.
Pupils also choose their lunch as part of the routine at the beginning of each school day – encouraging them to think about what they are going to eat rather than simply being presented with a meal at lunchtime.
The Government has announced an overhaul of school food standards in England, with changes aimed at increasing the amount of fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich foods children eat while reducing foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
The new standards are due to come into force from September 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Kirsty Osman, CEO of Four Hills Education Trust, said the renewed focus on school food was welcome.
“Food has an important part to play in children’s wellbeing and their ability to learn, so it is encouraging to see school meals receiving this level of national attention,” she said.
“For us, it’s about more than meeting a set of standards. We want children to understand why healthy choices matter and to develop habits which will stay with them as they grow.
“We also know that school meals are particularly important for many of our families. A higher proportion of children across our schools are eligible for school meals than the national average, so ensuring children have access to nutritious, appealing food is something we take very seriously.”
Four Hills says its approach reflects a wider emphasis on supporting the whole child, with good nutrition seen alongside learning, physical activity, wellbeing and pastoral support.
Healthy eating is discussed with children in the classroom, helping pupils understand the connection between what they eat, how they feel and their wider health.
Kirsty added: “Schools have an opportunity to help children build their understanding of food from an early age.
“That doesn’t mean telling children that one food is ‘good’ and another is ‘bad’. It’s about helping them understand balance, giving them healthy options and encouraging them to make informed choices for themselves.
“The food on the plate matters, but so does the knowledge children take away with them. If we can help children establish a positive relationship with food during their primary school years, that will benefit them well beyond the school gates.”
Four Hills Education Trust was established in late 2025 and currently includes Albrighton Primary School, Meadows Primary School, Millbrook Primary School, William Reynolds Primary School and Woodlands Primary School.
The trust’s approach is based around its CARE values of Critical Thinking, Aspiration, Resilience and Empathy, with individual schools retaining their own identities while sharing expertise and support across the trust.
For more information, visit https://fourhillseducationtrust.org.uk/.
