To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the existing policies that require schools to (a) teach children the importance of healthy eating; and (b) provide healthy meals and snacks; and (ii) what efforts are being made to improve the policies.

My Department recognises the importance of young people being educated to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The Personal Development and Mutual Understanding area of learning at primary level and the Learning for Life and Work (LLW) area of learning at post-primary level are statutory elements within the Northern Ireland curriculum. These areas of learning provide opportunities for pupils, from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3, to learn effectively how to keep themselves healthy and safe, aligned to the importance of healthy eating.

The Home Economics strand of LLW aims to further equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and values that will help them make appropriate lifestyle choices. This includes understanding food choices and nutritional health in a society where obesity is an increasing problem and diet-related illness is prevalent. Pupils also have the opportunity to pursue qualifications at Key Stage 4 and post-16 that explicitly cover issues relevant to healthy eating, for example, the GCSE in Food and Nutrition and the A Level in Nutrition and Food Science.

To support schools in the delivery of the curriculum, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) develops and produces curricular guidance and teaching support materials for use in schools. This includes resources to address the broader issues of obesity, over-consumption of junk food and general health. The CCEA Wellbeing Hub also supports the teaching of young people to learn about the role of exercise, healthy eating and healthy habits as part of good health.

The Food in Schools policy sets out the Departments’ policy in relation to all food in schools, support available, roles, responsibilities and funding. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/food-schools-policy

Nutritional Standards for food in schools are currently being updated.