Southwark School Meals Transformation Programme
Our Offers - Support, Training & Funding
Support
School Food Action (delivered by School Food Matters) Following the School Food Management training, the council are working with School Food Matters to support schools with a tailored approach to design and/or deliver food policies and action plans. Register your interest here to join and if you have any questions contact: saadiya@schoolfoodmatters.org |
![]() School Food Procurement Framework We will post more information soon. |
School Visits If you have not had a visit and want one booked, please contact: schoolfood@southwark.gov.uk |
Secondary School Chef Network Contact us to join the network mailing list: schoolfood@southwark.gov.uk |
![]() London living wage grant scheme Our grant scheme helps newly accredited Living Wage Employers with their accreditation fees. The 2024 to 2025 Living Wage rate is £13.85 per hour in London.
To apply for Living Wage grant scheme you must:
Apply for the Living Wage grant scheme here If you have any queries about the scheme email and include ‘Southwark Living Wage Grant Scheme’ in the subject line: southwarkbusinessdesk@southwark.gov.uk |
![]() Water only schools and Fizz Free February Healthy Schools London offer a Water only school toolkit for primary and secondary schools. Download the toolkit here We challenge schools and children and family centres every February to give up fizzy drinks. Prizes and assemblies are on offer for your school. Register for Fizz Free February here |
![]() Free food waste collection and workshops All schools in Southwark are eligible for free weekly food waste collections. Please contact southwarkenquiries@veolia.co.uk to set up the service. |
Training
Chefs in Schools support Chef Educator Training provides a fully funded opportunity to chefs who wish to significantly improve the standards of food and food education in schools. Keep a look out for future training cohorts. Chefs in Schools membership is for all in-house catered schools to address the various challenges faced by school chefs. This includes opportunities for professional development, recipes and resources, and access to a network of recommended suppliers and innovative solutions. Please contact if you are interested in the training and/or membership: sam@chefsinschools.org.uk |
Fuel the future: Bite Back in schools A fully funded student-led programme to transform secondary school food. Schools can get a £500 grant, a kick-off assembly delivered by an inspiring Bite Back Ambassador, ready-to-go resources and session plans and high-quality physical resources. Apply or learn more: https://www.biteback2030.com/join-bite-back-in-schools/ Questions? Contact: schoolfoodchampions@biteback2030.com |
Early Start Nutrition Fussy Eating module This free module provides settings with the education and support to improve the awareness and application of the early years' nutrition guidelines for fussy eating infants. Up to two staff members from your organisation can access a free self-directed online training on Fussy Eating. Visit the link here and buy the course using this code: Nutrition2Southwark24* |
School food management training Self-directed, online training, accredited by the Institute of School Business Leaders for School Business Managers to boost knowledge, skills, confidence and increase capacity to manage school meals services effectively. Sign up and complete the training here |
School Governor Advice and Support Learn more about the responsibilities of governors for school food and how they can help the transformation programme here. |
Funding
Free healthy nursery meals Since 2019, we have provided Free Healthy Nursery Meals, and since 2023 we have offered funding for breakfast. Funding is provided where grant conditions are met. |
Mayor of London Key Stage 2 90%+ Free School Meals + Special Schools funding The Mayor of London currently offers universal free school meals for all primary schools. Primary schools can receive up to 10% additional funding for KS2 free school meals if uptake is above 90%. Special schools can also apply for up to £5000 extra funding each year to help meet additional costs. |
Free healthy secondary school meals We additionally fund free secondary school meals for families who get Universal Credit, and who are not currently eligible for government benefits related free school meals. |
Free school meals auto enrolment pupil premium To help remove the barriers from parents/carers applying to FSM, we have introduced ‘auto enrolment’ to identify and register pupils who are free school meal eligible. Schools will receive Pupil Premium based on every additional pupil identified that are eligible for Free School Meals. |