Schools minister visits Tower Hamlets to discuss healthy meals

19th February 2010, 11:07am

Schools Minister Diana Johnson joined head teachers from schools in Tower Hamlets last week to discuss the challenges of getting more children to eat a healthy school lunch.

The Minister met with head teachers from six local schools along with the School Food Trust's chief executive, Judy Hargadon, at Oaklands School to talk about ways to ensure that children have the time and space to both eat a healthy school lunch and to enjoy activity at lunchtime.

Johnson said: "I really enjoyed my visit to Oaklands School and the opportunity to discuss the government's healthy school meals policies with local head teachers who are seeing the impact healthy eating can have in the classroom - improving the health, concentration and behaviour of their pupils.  
 
Patrice Canavan, head teacher at Oaklands School, said: "We're really excited to be involved in the Million Meals initiative. The fact that we have signed up demonstrates Oaklands' commitment to prioritising the health and wellbeing of our pupils, which will only impact positively on our attainment levels and support us as an accredited Healthy School." 

Judy Hargadon, chief executive of the School Food Trust, added: "We know that how children feel about lunchtime can literally make or break their school day. Too often children are rushed to eat and socialise in a thirty minute lunch break and for too many this can mean skipping food, or bringing their own rather than braving the school dining room."

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