Understanding food provision and eating environments in English special schools

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
All state-funded schools in England must provide meals that meet standards, known as the School Food Standards (SFS). This includes special schools and alternative provision (AP) such as Pupil Referral Units. Pupils who attend special schools/AP often have poorer diets. They may also be at a higher risk of future health problems linked to diet. Schools can support children to make healthy meal choices. Yet, special schools/AP may experience different challenges than mainstream schools to do so. Many pupils attending these settings have special educational needs (SEN). There is a need to review the quality of food provided in these settings. This will help to understand how to improve food provision in the future. This study aims to assess the food provided in special schools/AP by reviewing its nutritional value and whether it meets the SFS. The study will explore what actions special schools/APs take to support healthy eating and will also explore the influences upon healthy food provision and eating environments. Finally, the study will explore whether the research methods are feasible and suitable for special schools/AP and pupils with SEN.

Who can participate?
6-8 special schools/AP settings in the West Midlands and Northeast of England

What does the study involve?
The team will collect menus and visit schools to observe the food available and assess it against the SFS. They will also evaluate the nutritional quality of the meals provided. In each setting, they will conduct in-depth interviews with key staff and governors, inquiring about the challenges of supporting healthy eating in schools. Parents and pupils will also be asked about their experiences with school food. The researchers will employ creative methods to ensure the inclusion of a diverse range of children. Additionally, they will review the inclusivity and suitability of their methods for all schools and pupils involved.

Public Involvement: Two public advisory groups will guide the study, encompassing a broad spectrum of individuals connected to school food. The Schools/Practice Advisory Group will consist of senior leaders, caterers, support workers, and representatives from Local Authorities and charities. Additionally, there will be a Child and Parent Group, from whom the team will seek advice on the study, including feedback on the findings and how best to meet the needs of children and parents participating in the research.

Sharing the Findings: The results of the study will be shared in a workshop with those involved in school meals in special schools/APs, including Local Authorities, the Department for Education, caterers, schools, parents, and pupils. The group will be asked to identify priorities for improving support for healthy eating. This will help the researchers develop an intervention to test in special schools or alternative provisions in the future. Additionally, a summary report will be created for schools, parents, and pupils, and a policy briefing will be prepared for government colleagues. This work aims to identify opportunities to better support healthy eating in special schools, addressing the increased risk of poor diet among pupils attending these schools and ultimately improving the future health of children.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants' views in this study will directly inform the development of future research aimed at supporting children in special schools or alternative provisions to maintain a healthy diet. The findings will be shared with schools, caterers, and government bodies, potentially influencing policies related to school food. No physical or emotional harm is anticipated as a result of participating in this research.

Where is the study run from?
This study is led by researchers at the University of Birmingham in partnership with researchers from the Universities of Northumbria and Edinburgh.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2023 to January 2025

Who is funding the study?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Marie Murphy (University of Birmingham), m.murphy.3@bham.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Marie Murphy
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator

Murray Learning Centre
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

ORCID ID	0000-0003-1177-1890
Phone	+44 (0)121 415 8018
Email	m.murphy.3@bham.ac.uk

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• United Kingdom
• England

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Editorial Notes

22/11/2024: The ethics approval was added.