Southwark’s Food Flagship pioneers aiming to make school meals healthier

Six schools are leading the way to healthier, more nutritious food in all schools across Southwark, thanks to help for an organisation dedicated to urban wellbeing. 

The six are part of a joint programme between the council and Impact on Urban Health, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation.  

The four-year programme is worth £1.2m and supports schools to further improve the food given to pupils throughout the day, in terms of nutrition and value for money.  

Under the scheme, the Food Flagship schools will share best practice with others in Southwark and showcase what a good food culture looks like.  

For example, Spa School Bermondsey is sharing how they support children with autism and sensory needs during the busy lunch service. Camelot Primary School is promoting more adventurous lunch menus and encouraging consumption of wholegrain foods and oily fish rather than chips. 

The programme will also tackle the local market for school meals, giving them more control over their catering contracts and the quality of their food. 

The schools involved are: St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School; Albion Primary School; Camelot Primary School; Spa School Bermondsey; Ark Walworth Academy; and Harris Academy, Peckham. 

Karl Bardouille, head teacher at Albion Primary, where they make Caribbean sweat breads, said: “Albion Primary School is delighted to be recognised as a Food Flagship school for Southwark. We have worked hard to develop and embed healthy eating habits and lifestyles into the ethos of the school.  

“We already have a thriving gardening club and forest school, and we are looking forward to welcoming chickens once again to our school in September. We want children to know where their food comes from and feel proud that they have created food by planting a seed.” 

Councillor Jasmine Ali, deputy leader and cabinet member for Children, Young People & Education, said: “We are working closely with schools and partners to raise the bar by making school meals even healthier. I was delighted to see for myself the fruits (and veggies) of their labour.” 

Pictured top: Year 3 pupils at Albion school handing out their Caribbean sweet breads (Picture: Southwark council)