That is so true ,We are a healthy eating awared school, we do have a close eye on the childrens lunch boxes ,and comment on them to parents ,[if there is a need to ]. however we do offer sweets as rewads , bake cakes in food tec ,and have choc biscuites for snack [occasionally ] : . it does'nt sound good when you think about it ,we do contradict ourselves , But this does not happen regularly, it is a treat for good behaviour etc

to be honest as a parent as well, I don't like anyone telling me what my child should or should not be eating at lunchtime.

Mine eat a sensible breakfast and evening meal, so who cares if they have a chocolate bar & a packet of crips at lunchtime.

we don't tend to give sweets as rewards in our school. sometimes we give biscuits. Normally rewards are given as extra play or a cool pen/pencil, something like that.

I think it infringes on peoples rights to check lunchboxes.

of course healthy eating should be promoted and I am in total support of that, I just think there are other ways to promote it, than checking peoples lunchboxes. As also adults within in school should follow the school policy on this.

I saw someone post about the fact that actually schools are not supposed to check lunchboxes.

We are a healthy school but tend to rely on parents common sense about lunchbox contents, with the occasional letter home as a reminder. We do offer sweets in some instances, although usually golden time, computer time ect. I think it's important to remember that kids need to eat a good balance of things and that the odd sweet or chocolate biscuit wont harm them if taken in moderation, something that we can help them to learn.

Our school doesn't give sweets as rewards or treats. Break time snacks are fruit or fresh baked rolls (no filling/spread)

I use dried fruit and/or plain rice cakes as an incentive

The only time kids are given sweets is a lolly when it's been their birthday, like others have commented they have to have the occasional treat

The only food treat (apart from when someone has been 'baking' - and last week they made fruit smoothies) is the 'brain food' I keep for my 1-1s and small groups. Dried mango/ pineapple/ raisins etc. They love it!

down with the food fascists! What right have they to tell me I cannot live off black coffee and chocolte biscuits.

I agree that there are some parents who do not provide the right lunch for there children...but insisting what is put in the lunch box will have little or no effect on these children.


In our school we have the healthy schools certificate. We encourage bottles of water, fruit at break times etc.

Like I said most rewards are healthy or pens/pencils.

The dinnerladies do check what's in the lunch box and may comment if they find a twix bar or mars bar, also they are checking to make sure everyone has a lunch. It's in a discreet way.

Also healthy living and eating is covered in the curriculum.

Having a healthy school status does not mean you need Food Police telling your kids what to have in the lunch box.

As with everything balance is needed.

We used to get complaints and comments about Miss G's packed lunch, especially in nursery.

It seemed either the kids were drooling over her yogurt, custard or jelly while the teachers were drooling over her salmon sandwiches whne she had them

when i used to be an SMSA (a long time ago!) we used to check that the sandwich was eaten first, apart from that then we used to encourage them to eat the fruit/yogurt etc before crisps/choc, but I dont think anyone should be dictating what is in a lunch box as they are unaware of the families income or situation. I agree we should encourage water/juice/fruit/veg through education. Not all families can afford to provide more expensive items though