New Standards for school food became mandatory in council maintained schools and some academies in January 2015.

But for schools that became academies between 2010 and 2014, the food standards are voluntary.

Schools teaching about a million pupils have failed to adopt the code, says the Local Government Association, (LGA).

The standards restrict the amount of sugary, fried and fatty foods in school meals and require pupils to be offered at least one portion of vegetables or salad as part of their lunch each day

They are mandatory in all council schools, new academies and schools that became academies between 2008 and 2010.

But having to follow them was optional for the 3,896 academies and free schools that opened between 2010 and 2014, as their funding contracts allow them greater autonomy.

Rather than change their contracts, the government wrote to these academies to make a voluntary agreement to comply with the new food standards.

The LGA argues it is essential the government uses a new childhood obesity strategy, expected this summer, to close the loophole and oblige all academies to commit to the same food standards as other state schools.


Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.


13/03/25The government faces a "now or never moment" to hit its target of recruiting 6,500 new teachers in England

The government faces a "now or never moment" to hit its target of recruiting 6,500 new teachers in England by the end of its term, a new report has suggested. Analysis by the National Foundation of Educational Research (NFER) says unfilled vacancies are at a record high and recruitment into teacher training remains "persistently low." All but five secondary subjects missed this year's recruitment targets for new trainee teachers, which are set by the Department for Education (DfE).

06/03/25Medway children offered secondary school places as the number who got their first choice revealed

A total of 96% of children were offered places at a secondary school of their choice in Medway

04/03/25Schools to trial social media blackout scheme

Three schools in Surrey are launching a pilot programme to restrict mobile phone usage in an attempt to improve pupils' wellbeing. The secondary schools, which are part of the GLF Schools trust, are to trial an app that blocks social media, messaging and other apps which they believe are "distracting" during school hours. GLF Schools said the expected benefits were more focus in the classroom, a calmer learning environment and improved student mental health.

25/02/25First Kent schools named in free breakfast club pilot

The first schools in Kent and Medway to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of a government scheme have been revealed.

24/02/25Schoolchildren have swapped French for British Sign Language

Children in Castle Hill Community Primary School in Folkestone have swapped French lessons for British Sign Language (BSL)