News

The Small Schools Taskforce has launched its pilot in the south west of the country and made available the Small Schools Pilot Information Pack which provides information on the pilot scheme, including sample menus, indicative costing models (based on government allocation of £2.30 / meal revenue funding for infant school meals), plus media coverage of the pilot launch in March.

The Small Schools Taskforce was set up to help develop solutions for the particular challenges faced by small schools in establishing a viable meals service, as part of the School Food Plan.

Brad Pearce, project manager for the Small Schools Taskforce, said: “Every school is different, and there is no single best ‘one size fits all’ approach.

“The Small Schools Taskforce aims to use a pilot to focus on developing one possible solution. The pilot approach will show how it is possible to begin a journey to get kitchens back into all schools, enabling on site preparation of fresh ingredients.

“The findings of the pilot (including the financial breakdown and business model) will be made freely available for all.”

He added that the Task Force recognised the fact that there were many other small schools and rural local authorities grappling with the issues involved in meeting the target of universal free school meals for infants in all schools by September.

“I have been talking to small schools around the country over the past five months and welcome queries. If you think your school or local authority might be interested in replicating the Small Schools Taskforce pilot within a local cluster of schools, then please email me at brad@schoolfoodplan.com”

Watch film of the launch of the Small Schools Pilot Study by clicking here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZkBbSsDdY4&feature=youtu.be

Or download the Small Schools Pilot Information Pack by clicking here: