This page expired on 07 Dec 2009

This guide is a practical tool, which aims to help and support special schools in achieving and maintaining National Healthy School Status, implementing the school food standards and developing a positive healthy eating culture for the whole school community.

The guide combines examples of good practice from schools and professional experience obtained from those who have been actively involved with implementing the school food standards within the special school setting. It features case studies, practical guidance and examples of innovative work from the School Food Trust, Norfolk special school pilots and special schools in London, Buckinghamshire and Manchester.

The primary audience for this guide is special schools, however the information that it contains is also relevant for mainstream schools with pupils that have special educational needs and disabilities.

This guide will be of use to headteachers, school staff, health professionals such as speech and language therapists and dietitians, catering staff, pupils and school governors. We hope that parents and carers will also find it helpful.

Eat Better, Do Better: A practical guide to adopting a Whole School Approach to food in special schools
(Adobe pdf doc 738KB)

A CD has also been created to accompany this guide with practical resources to support those implementing the school food standards within the special school setting. You can download the resources here.

Section 1

Ideas on how to organise and manage a tasting session with pupils (Adobe pdf doc 28KB)

Section 2

	An example of a whole school food policy (Adobe pdf doc 132KB)
	A sample 'Yes, No, Maybe' tool (Adobe pdf doc 152KB)
	A sample 'Yes, No, Maybe' tool (MS PowerPoint doc 275KB)

Section 3

Example of a literacy lesson (MS PowerPoint doc 489KB)

Section 5

Information on food moulds and suppliers (Adobe pdf doc 25KB)

Section 7

	An example of a dysphagia policy (Adobe pdf doc 191KB)
	An example of a child’s eating and drinking plan - NHS Norfolk (Adobe pdf doc 13KB)
	An example of a child’s eating and drinking plan - Willow Dene School (Adobe pdf doc 53KB)
	A place mat template (MS Word doc 43KB)

Section 8

	An outline of a modified consistency training plan (Adobe pdf doc 28KB)
	What is dysphagia? An advice sheet with general information on swallowing (Adobe pdf doc 62KB)
	A list of different food textures for children (Adobe pdf doc 93KB)
	A list of foods suitable for puréeing (Adobe pdf doc 256KB)
	Top tips for puréeing (Adobe pdf doc 530KB)