School across Andover join families, students and staff in in full support of the Governments agenda to improve the nutritional value of school meals, with some already meeting much of the upcoming new criteria, demonstrating a strong commitment to the wellbeing of young people in the community.
The Government recently announced new school lunchtime policies, which are due to come into effect in September 2027, with aims to reduce childhood obesity and tooth decay. This includes reduced sugar, increased fibre and abolishing unhealthy options such as deep-fat fried food. While these are national priorities, Andover schools are demonstrating how local action and community collaboration lead the way.
Harrow Way Community School is among those ahead of the game, and proud to already be delivering many of the priorities set out in the new national standards. At lunchtime they provide students with healthy and nutritious options as well as catering to vegetarian and vegan diets, after the Student Council raised concerns 2 years ago regarding the food options.
The school, with the support of governors, changed their catering provision and are now working with Caterlink to transform their menus. Since this switch, Harrow Way have noticed a significant increase in demand for school meals, reflecting the positive response from students. This highlights how positive changes happen when schools actively engage with the community and their needs.
Mr Preston, the Principal of Winton Community Academy, also emphasised the importance of this collective effort:
“As a school community, we will always support initiatives that help to support healthy eating and the reduction of childhood obesity. We look forward to hearing more about it in the coming months and will continue to work with our community when it comes to promoting healthy eating.”
Across Andover, schools are demonstrating that improving children’s health is not just a policy goal, but a community mission – one that brings together educators, families and young people to create a healthier future for all.