Healthier breakfast clubs

Contents

Introduction 3

Benefitsofhealthierbreakfastclubs 3

Whatisahealthierbreakfastclub? 4

Stepbystepplan 5

Healthierbreakfastclubschecklist 20

Integratingwithotherschoolfoodprojects 21

Curriculumlinks 22

References 23

Sourcesoffurtherinformation 24

Introduction Benefits of healthier breakfast clubs

Thishealthierbreakfastclub

guidanceoffersadviceandsupport

foryourschoolwhetheryouare

planningtosetupabreakfastclub

thatpromoteshealthiereating,or

wantingtochangetheemphasisof

anexistingclubtopromotehealthier

eating.

Breakfastclubscancreateapositive

atmosphereandhelptoinclude

newandinterestingfoodsthatwill

helptoimproveattitudestowards

healthybreakfast,aswellascreating

apositiverapportbetweenteachers

andpupils.Teachersreportthat

childrenhaveimprovedattendance,

attention,behaviourandlevelsof

concentrationasaresultofhealthier

foodsbeingprovidedinthemorning.

Inaddition,ithasbeensuggested

thatthisprovisioncanalsocontribute

toimprovedacademicperformance.

Ahealthierbreakfastclub:

• providesanopportunityforpupilsandstaffto

eatbreakfastinastimulatingenvironment;

• hasapositiveeffectonpupils’concentration

andperformancethroughouttheday;

• engagespupilsinmakinghealthierchoices

abouttheirdietbyprovidingthemwith

encouragement,knowledgeandsupport;

• canhelpimprovepupils’attendanceand

punctuality;

• canleadtobettersocialinteractionandskills

betweenpupils;

• increasesthecontactbetweenteachersand

parents;

• canimprovepupils’motivationandself-

confidencethroughrelationshipswithadults

otherthanteachers;

• canbenefitlowincomefamiliesbyproviding

no-costorlow-costbreakfast.

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What is a healthier breakfast club?

Ahealthierbreakfastclubprovidesagoodbalanceandvarietyoffoodanddrinksonits

menuoveraperiodoftime.Itensuresthattheneedsofpupilsandstaffarebeingmet,and

encouragesthewholeschoolcommunitytoeatbreakfastandtrysomethingnew.

ResearchcarriedoutbytheHealthPromotionAgencyforNorthernIreland(nowthePublic

HealthAgency),Eating for health? A survey of eating habits among children and young

people in Northern Ireland,showedthatalmostonethirdof12–17yearoldgirlsdidnoteat

breakfastduringtheschoolweek.1

AccordingtotheSodexoschoolmealsandlifestylesurvey2005,8%ofchildrenhavenothing

toeatbeforeschool,andthisrisesto12%for15–16yearolds(17%for15–16yearoldgirls).2

Breakfastclubscanhelptochangethesestatisticsandgivechildrenahealthierstarttotheir

day.

AsystematicreviewcarriedoutbytheBritishNutritionFoundationin2007,entitledAre people

who regularly eat breakfast cereals slimmer than those who don’tconcludedthatchildrenwho

eatbreakfastcerealsregularlytendtohavealowerBMIandarelesslikelytobeoverweight

thanthosewhoeatbreakfastcerealsinfrequently.3

Case study

Inapost-primaryschoolsituatedinadeprivedareawithhighunemployment,abreakfastclub

waslaunchedtokick-startawholeschoolapproachtohealthiereating.

Adropincaféwascreated,called‘Switchontobreakfast’,wherepupilscouldeatbreakfast,

listentomusicandwatchTV.Theinformalenvironmentwaslikedbypupilsandmadetheclub

feellesslikeschool.

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Step by step plan

1. Getting started

Ausefulstartcouldbetoreviewyourwholeschoolfoodpolicyordeveloponebyconducting

anauditoftheschool’scurrentprovision(seebooklettwo:Establishing a whole school food

policy).Ifyoualreadyhaveabreakfastclub,theschoolnutritionactiongroup(SNAG)orschool

councilcouldconsiderhowtomakeithealthier.Involvethewholeschoolcommunity(pupils,

parents,teachers,caterers,governors,healthandwellbeingcoordinator,healthprofessionals),

toascertainwhetheraclubisneededandwouldbeused.Workingwithpartnersinthelocal

community,egcommunitydietitiananddentalhealthteams,willalsoensurethattheschoolhas

supporttoachieveitsaims.Theycanhelpwithmenusuggestions.Itisessentialtoinvolvethe

school’sseniormanagementteamfromtheoutset.Byincorporatingtheclubintoyourwhole

schoolfoodpolicy,youwillensurethatit:

• islinkedtootherhealthinitiativesatschool;

• providesconsistentinformationonhealthierfoodanddrinkchoices;

• becomespartofyourschool’sdevelopmentplan.

Trytokeepitsimple.Theclubcandevelopintime,butattheearlystagesitisbettertoavoidbeing

tooambitious.Visitsomeestablishedclubsatlocalschools.Findoutwhathasworkedwellfor

themandwhathasnot.Theymayprovideusefulinformationonfunding,staffingandresources.

Schoolshavedifferentwaysofoperatingbreakfastclubs,andyouwillneedtoreviewwhatfacilities

youhaveavailableandselectthemostappropriateapproachtomeetingtheneedsofpupils.

What are your aims?

Willtheclubbeopentoallpupilsorwillittargetspecificpupils,egbyyeargroup?Whatdo

youwanttoachievefromtheclub?Thiswilldependontheneedsofyourschoolcommunity

andthefacilitiesandbudgetavailable.Yourschoolmaybeinanareawheretherearefamilies

withlowhouseholdincome,whichmeansthattheymayhavealimitedamountofmoneyto

spendonfood.Someclubsinviteparentsandstafftoparticipate.Forexample,findoutwhat

parentsandpupilsneedandwantfromahealthierbreakfastclub,egadditionalactivitiesor

servicesotherthanfood.

Sendoutquestionnairestoparentsinanewsletter,orholdameeting.Findoutwhattypeof

foodanddrinkpupilsliketoeatforbreakfast.Pupilscouldconductasurveyintheirclasses

andreportbacktoaschoolcouncilorSNAG.Findoutwhetherthereareanyrestrictionsdue

tocultural,religiousorhealthrequirements,egallergies.

Step by step plan

Therearemanywaysoforganisingabreakfastclub,dependingontheindividualneedsofa

school.Importantaspectstoconsiderinclude:

• thetypeofclubthatwillbestsuityourschool

• whowillruntheclub?

• whereandwhenwilltheclubrun?

• howwilltheclubrun?

• willtherebeacharge?

• willoptionalactivitiesbeprovidedaswellasfood,eggamesandmusic?

• thenameoftheclub

• theestablishmentofrulesandprocedures

• theinvolvementoftheschoolcommunity,egparentsandpupils.

Case study

Theviceprincipalofaprimaryschoolidentifiedtheneedforabreakfastclubfollowingteachers’

concernsthatpupilswereskippingbreakfastandmakingunhealthyfoodchoicesinstead.

Thelocalhealthactionzonefundedabreakfastclubfortheschoolandfiveotherlocalprimary

schools.Beingpartofaclustersystemprovedasuccessfulstrategyinhelpingthemsharebest

practiceandovercomeproblems.Theclubactedasacatalysttochangingpupils’attitudes

towardshealthiereating.

Theschoolhascreatedaninformalandrelaxedclub.Pupilsfinditappealingasitallowsthem

tosocialisewiththeirfriendswhileeating.Theysay:“It’s sociable to be sitting down and talking,

it gives us somewhere to go.”

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2. Setting up a healthier breakfast club

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School run club A dining servery style club

Summary

What you need

to think about

Thistypeofclubisuseful

whereaccesstocatering

facilitiesislimited,butwhere

youareabletosetupanarea

forfoodpreparation.Itisideal

forservingcereals,toastand

juiceorhotdrinks.

• Ensurethattheclubworkers

haveappropriatetraining

andqualificationsinbasic

foodhygiene,supervising

pupilsorhealthiercatering.

Youwillneedtoconsider

whetherclubworkersare

paidemployeesorvolunteers.

• Makesurethatthefacilities

includeadequatestorage

andanareaforpreparing

andclearingawayfood.This

includesaccesstofridges,hot

waterandrubbishdisposal.

• Ifinaclassroom,provide

disposableclothstocover

tables.

Theseclubsuseprofessional

cateringstaffandresources.

Inmostcases,theyarestaffed

bytheschoolcateringservice.

Theseclubsoperateeither

asaself-servicebuffet,oras

acanteentypearrangement

withstaffservingpupilsata

counter.

•Thecostofpayingforstaff

fromthecateringservice

willneedtobereflectedin

thepriceofthefoodand

drinkserved.

•Markettheclubasamore

informalsettingthatoffers

additionalactivities,including

weeklyevents,specialthemes

andbreakfastspecialsto

celebrateevents.

•Aimtosetpricesforafixed

periodinagreementwith

cateringservices,inorderto

establishastablecharging

policy.

Therearetwomainapproachestosettingupahealthierbreakfastclub.

Step by step plan

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What you need

to think about

• Limitandcontrolaccess

tosharpknives,hotkettles

andtoasters,especiallywith

youngerpupils.

• Ensurethatfoodchoices

meetthenutritionalstandards

forotherfoodanddrinksin

schools.

• Getagreementfromthe

schoolcateringserviceabout

theuseandcleaningofthe

areaanddishwashing

equipment,orcheckifthe

schoolstaffroomcanbe

usedforthispurpose.This

willdependonthenumbers

attending.

• Checkthattheschool’s

publicliabilityinsuranceisin

placeandthatitcoversyour

activitiesandtheoutof

schoolhourstimingofyour

club.Checkspecificallywith

theboardinsuranceofficer

ortheinsurertomakesure

youarecovered.

•Ensurethatthechoices

availablereflectthehealthy

eatingmessage,andmeetthe

nutritionalstandardsforother

foodanddrinksinschool.

Discusswhatyouwillinclude

inyourbreakfastmenuswith

thecaterers,takingadvice

fromhealthprofessionals.

Integratetheclubintothe

wholeschoolapproach.

Engagetheschoolcouncil

andotherrelevantgroupsto

discusstheplanningofthe

breakfastclubmenu,taking

suggestionsonboard.

•Iftheschoolislargeorthe

clubisverypopular,thinkof

strategiestoreducequeuing

andwaitingtimesforpupils.

•Schooldiningareasoften

doubleastheschoolhall.

Youmayneedtoworkout

howtheclubandschoollife

willoperateinparallel.

•Considertheintroductionof

healthiervendingmachines

thatofferhealthierbreakfast

choices.

School run club A dining servery style club

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Advantages

How much will it

cost?

• Youcanbeflexibleinwhere

youholdyourclub,ega

classroom,theschoolhall.

• Youcancreateamore

relaxedatmosphere.

• Youcanbemoreresponsive

totheneedsofpupilswith

foodchoicesandmenuvariety.

• Youhavegreatercontrol

overthetypeofbreakfast

foodsonoffer.

• Iftheclubisnotusingthe schoolkitchens,equipment mayneedtobepurchased. Theminimumisatoaster, akettle,afridge,astore cupboard,crockery,cups, cutlery,washingupequipment, andsomewheretowashup.

• Theothercostsarethefood, staffingandanyadministrative costssuchasrent.Ifyouare goingtochargefortheclub, youwillneedtobreakdown thesefiguressothatyoucan workouthowmuchpupilsneed topaytokeeptheoperation sustainable.Youcoulddecide toseekfundingtoruntheclub asafreeenterprise,orto subsidisethecoststopupils.

• Healthandsafety,alongwith

foodordering,storage,

preparationandcleaning,are

undertakenbyschoolkitchen

andcateringstaff.

• Theuseofaschoolcaterer

enablesothersupervisory

stafftofulfilotherschool

dutieswithoutdelay.

• Thereareopportunitiesto

provideagreatervarietyof

foods,includingahotmenu.

• Youwillneedtonegotiate

acontractwithyour

caterers,off-settingthe

incomefromsalesagainst

staffwagesandfood

charges.

School run club A dining servery style club

Step by step plan

Healthier breakfast club activities

Oneofthemainaimsistoencouragehealthiereating.Manyoftheclubsfindthatthis,

alongsidethesocialaspectofsharingfoodandchatting,makesforanidealstarttotheday.

Someschoolsprovideactivitiestorunalongsidetheirbreakfastclub.Thishasimplicationsfor

staffingandopeninghours.Thepupilsneedenoughtimetojoinintheactivitiesaswellaseat

breakfast,andsupervisionfortheactivitiesmayberequired.Whetherpupilscaneatfirstor

havebreakfastafterwardswilldependonthenatureoftheactivities.

Inaddition,itisimportantthatthesocialaspectsofeatingtogetherarenotneglected,asa

breakfastclubcanbeanimportantwayofpromotingsocialandemotionalwellbeingatschool.

Forsomepupils,itmayalsobetheonlymealofthedaythatiseatenatatablewithothers

whileengaginginconversation.

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Top 10 activities for healthier breakfast clubs

1. Reading:createsanareawherepupilscanreadbooks,newspapersandmagazines.

2. Music:setsasideaplacewherepupilscanlistentoormakemusic,sing,orlistentoalive

performancefromavisitororaschoolband.

3. Boardgames:allocatessomespaceandtimeforfunandeducationalpastimes.

4. Sportandkeepfit:combinesorintegratestheclubwithsupervisedfootball,basketball,

aerobics,yogaandsoon.

5. ICTprojects:Internetcafé:createsthelook,feelandfacilitiesofaninternetcafé.

6. Homework:allowspupilstimetocatchupontheirstudies.

7. Hobbies:letschildrenfollowtheirowninterests.

8. Mathschallenges:setstaskssuchasmathsinvestigations,puzzlesandlogicalproblem

solving.

9. CDplaying:createsopportunitiestoplaybothmusicandstory.

10. Healthpromotingevents:canencouragethingsliketeethbrushingteethandhand

washing.

Thetypeofschool,styleofserviceandresourcesavailablewilldictatetheadditionalactivities

thatahealthierbreakfastclubincludes.Berealisticandchoosewhatworksbestforyour

school.

Case study

Asmallprimaryschoolfoundthattheirhealthierbreakfastclubwasaneffectivewayof

improvingpunctualityandattendance.Theyalsonotedthatpupils’behaviourandtable

mannersimproved.Theprincipalnotedthatsuccessfulstrategiesincludedstartingwitha

manageablenumberoftargetedpupils,researchingthebreakfastmenuwithpupilsandasking

stafftovolunteertokeepcoststoaminimumandhelppromoteafriendlyenvironment.

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Step by step plan

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Venue

Thiswilldependonthetypeofclub.Iftheclubisrunbytheschoolcaterer,thenthedining

roomwouldbethemostappropriateplace.However,iftheclubisrunbyschoolstaffor

volunteers,youmaychoosethediningroom,schoolhall,orfindaroomthatissafeforpupils

andworkers,preferablywithappropriatestoragefacilities.Anareacouldbepartitionedoff,

withpostersandtheclubnameonthedividers.Inasmallspace,acaféorbistrocouldbeset

upsothatitlooksdifferentfromotherroomsintheschool.Involvethepupilsinthisapproach.

Aspectsofhealthandsafetyandfoodhygieneneedtobeconsideredcarefully.

Charging

Youneedtodecidewhethertochargeasetprice,variablepriceornothingatall.Somepupils

maynotbeabletoaffordtopayforbreakfastandcouldthereforebeexcludedifcharged.

Trytokeepcoststoaminimum.Lookforsponsorshipandwaysofraisingfundssothatyou

cansubsidiseprices.Voucherstowardsthecostofabreakfastcouldbegivenaspartofa

schoolrewardsscheme.Researchsuggeststhatcharginghelpstomainstreamtheservice,

contributestoitscontinuationandreducesthestigmaandimpressionthattheclubsareonly

forthedisadvantaged.

Arrival times

Pupilsarriveatschoolinmanydifferentways.Iftheytravelbybus,thecontroloverwhenthey

arrivecanbelimited.Therefore,someofthepotentialcustomersmaybeexcludedbecause

theyarrivetoolate.Trytoincludethosewhocomebybusinone-offspecialeventsbyarranging

foranearlierarrivalononeparticulardayornegotiatingaslightlylaterstarttotheschoolday.

Youmaybeabletoarrangeaspecialeventthatcombinesthestartoflessonswithalearning

activitythatlooksathealthyeatingchoices.

Staffing

Iftheclubisrunbytheschool,useexistingstaffwhomaynotmindcominginearlier.Ifthey

havechildrenorgrandchildrenintheschoolthemselves,theycanbringthemtotheclub.Make

useofvolunteers.

Parentsandotherfamilymembersmaybeabletohelponarotasystemiftheycannotcommit

themselvestocomingineveryday.Contactlocalcollegestofindoutwhethertheyhaveany

studentswhowouldbewillingtohelpwiththeclubinordertogainexperienceofworkingwith

pupilsinacommunitysetting.

ChecktheELBorschoolpolicyonwhocanworkwithchildreninschool–thismayneedto

involvepolicechecks.

Case study

Theteacherresponsibleforthebreakfastclubinamediumsizedsuburbanprimaryschoolfelt

thattheirclubwassuccessfulbecausetheykeptitsimpleandpromoteditssocialaspectsto

pupils.

“I’m really surprised at the number of children who continue to come on a regular basis, it’s

amazing. The atmosphere is a happy and calm one – there is no negativity.”

Theclubhasconvincedtheprincipaltoensurethatthereisafocusonhealthiereating

throughouttheschool.

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Step by step plan

Followingaparent-pupilsurvey,consultationwiththeschoolcouncilorSNAG(whichincludes

theschoolcaterer),andreferencetotheNutritional standards for other food and drinks in

schools,asamplemenushouldbedrawnup.

Workwithlocalhealthprofessionalsforfurtheradvice.Provideclearfactualinformationabout

thefood,perhapsonamenuoraninformationsheet.Involvepupilsinproducingpostersand

factsheetstoencouragehealthierchoices.

Ahealthierbreakfastshouldprovideagoodvarietyandbalanceoffoods,asrecommended

bytheeatwellplate.Toprovideahealthierbreakfast,clubsshouldtrytoincludeeachofthe

followingeveryday:

Oneofthegreatthingsaboutabreakfastclubisthatitcanencouragepupilstoeatawide

varietyoffoodbyprovidingadifferentselectionoffoodseachday,aswellaslimitinghowoften

certainfoodsareoffered.Forexample:

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3. Deciding what to serve

• agoodportionofstarchyfood,eglow

sugar,highfibrebreakfastcereals,bread,

toast,pancakesorbagels;

• plentyoffruitandvegetablechoices,eg

unsweetenedorangejuice,fruit(fresh,canned

ordried),cookedtomatoesorbakedbeans;

• aportionofmilkordairyfood,egsemi-

skimmedmilkoncerealsoralow-fat

yoghurt;

• achoiceofdrinks,egwater,

unsweetenedfruitjuice,semi-skimmed

milk.

• offeravarietyoffruitandvegetables

eachday,egfruitpots,freshfruitandjuice;

• useavarietyofbreadsfortoastand

toasties,includingwholegrain,pancakes,

soda,wheatenandpotatobread;

• offerporridgewhentheweatheriscold;

• providedifferenttoppingsfortoastand

bread,eglow-fatspread,low-fatcheese

spread,bananas,cookedtomatoesor

beans;

• offerhotfoodforvariety,egmushrooms,

tomatoes,bakedbeans,poached,

scrambledorboiledegg.

Issues to consider

Beforeselectingthefoodsyouprovideinthebreakfastclub,checkwhatcookingandserving

facilitiesyouhaveavailable.Assesswhetherthereareanyculturalorreligiousissuestobeaware

ofrelatingtofoodandwhetheranypupilsintheschoolhaveanyspecialdietaryneeds,egnut

allergies.Theseneedtobecarefullyconsideredwhenplanningmenus.Whenchoosingfoods

anddrinksforyourhealthierbreakfastclub,youshouldtrytochoosethoselowerinsalt,fatand

sugar.

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Step by step plan

Breakfast club menu

Breakfast cerealsWholegrain cereals or puffed

rice served with semi-skimmed milk

Toast

Toast with topping

Fruit options Banana or apple

Yogurt

Drinks

Unsweetened orange juice Water

Semi-skimmed milk

Example 1

Forspreadsand

toppings,chooseamonounsaturated

orpolyunsaturatedfatspread,oralow-fatalternative,and

encouragepupilstospreadthinly.Offerarangeofdifferent

toppingsovertheweek,eglow-fatsoftcheese,

bananaorbeans.

Trytooffera

selectionofcereals

–lookforlowsugar,

lowsalt,highfibre

alternatives.

Semi-skimmedmilkanddairyfoodsaregoodsourcesofprotein,vitaminsandminerals,especiallycalcium,whichisimportantforhealthybonesandteeth.Selectsemi-skimmedmilkandlow-fatdairyfoods.Goodwaystoincludemilkanddairyfoodsatbreakfastinclude:•addingmilktocereals •milkinyoursmoothies•yogurt •plainmilk,drinkingmilk.

•cheesetoasties

Fruitprovidesagood

sourceofvitaminsandminerals.Youneedto

provideavarietyoffruiteachday.

Breakfastcerealsprovide

energyandimportantvitaminsandminerals(as

mostarefortified,egwithiron).

Fresh

fruit,fruitjuice,

cannedfruitanddried

fruitallcounttowards

yourfive-a-day.

Tryservingcannedapricotsorpineappleinnatural

juice,driedfruit(egraisins,sultanas,apricots)apples,bananasandsatsumas.

Trymixingplaincerealswith

wholegraincerealstoreduceoverallsugarcontent.

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Breakfast club menu

Example 2

Breakfast cerealsWholegrain cereal or puffed

rice served with semi-skimmed milk and dried apricots or

raisins

Hot choices

Poached egg and tomato on wheaten bread, toasted mashed banana bagel, or baked beans

on toast.

Fruit snackers

Fruit pot Fruit smoothie

Drinks

Hot chocolate (low calorie option) Water or unsweetened fruit juice

Semi-skimmed milk

Key

Nutritionalinformation

Servingtips

Sample menus

Breadsprovidea

sourceoffibreandcarbohydrates.

Bakedbeanscouldbe

servedonmulti-graintoasttoprovideplentyoffibre.

Toastedbagels

couldbetopped

withmashed

bananatoadd

variety.

Remembertoofferdrinks–

startingthedaywellhydratedcanenhance

concentrationandreduceheadaches

andirritability.

Hot

choicessuchaseggsprovideavaluablesourceofproteinandother

nutrients.

Tryaddingfruittobreakfastcerealtosweeten.

Provideachoiceofbreads,andofferdifferenttypeson

differentdays,suchaswholemeal,granary,

whitebread,rolls,baps,bagels,potatobread,

sodaorwheatenbread.

Provideafruitsaladpot,orblendwithsemi-skimmedmilktomakeasmoothie.

Botharegreatwaystoencouragepupilstoeatmorefruit.

Vegetablesalsoprovidevitamins

andmineralsServingsofcookedtomatoes,

mushroomsandbakedbeansallcounttowardsyour

five-a-day.

Step by step plan

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Beforeyoubegin,publicisetheclubtopupils,staff,parentsandthecommunity.Ensurethat

everyoneknowswhenitwillstart,whereitwillbeheld,whocanjoinin,what’sonthemenuand

howmuchitwillcost.

Promotioncouldinclude:

• displayingpostersaroundtheschool,perhapspostersmadebypupils;

• advertisingtheclubonaschoolnoticeboardorwebsite;

• displayingthebreakfastclubmenuprominentlyatschool;

• keepingparentsuptodatethroughtheschoolnewsletterorwebsite;

• invitingthelocalpresstocovertheopeningandtakephotographs;

• talkingabouttheopeningoftheclubatassemblyorattheschoolcouncilorSNAG;

• sendingspecialinvitationstoparentsandpupilsfortheopeningday;

• havinga‘countdowntoopening’calendarprominentlydisplayedintheentrancehallorfoyer;

• decoratingtheclubontheopeningdaytoremindpeoplethattheclubishappening;

• runningafirstdayraffleforthosewhoattend.

Promotionoftheclubshouldbecontinuousandnotjustaone-off.Specialevents,tasting

sessionsandnewmenuitemsaddinterestandhelptosustaintheclub.

Top tips to make your breakfast club appealing

• Havea‘tasterbar’onceaweekaspartofyourbreakfastmenu,withbitesizepiecesoffruit,

vegetablesandnewfoods.

• Havea‘healthierfoodchallenge’toseewhocanchoosethehealthiestbreakfast.

• Have‘knowledgechallenge’dayswithspecialgamesandquizzes.

• Createoradoptamascotthatsitsbythehealthieroptionsonoffer.

• Havethemedaysatdifferenttimesoftheyearorforspecialevents.

• Havearewardsystemforchoosinghealthieroptions.

• Have‘bringafriend’daysandoffertwoforthepriceofone.

• Havefamilydayswhenthewholefamilyisinvited.

• Labelyourmenuchoicesforyoungerchildrenwithspecialfunnynames.

4. Promoting your healthier breakfast club

Ifyourclubisfunandthefoodistastyandwellpresented,youshouldfindthatthenumberof

pupilsattendingstaysthesameorincreases.Attractnewcustomerstotheclubby:

• settinguparewardschemelinkedtoregularattendance;

• offeringvoucherstowardsthecostofabreakfast;

• havinganawardforthebreakfastclubmemberoftheweekormonth;

• offeringfreebreakfasttosomeonewhobringssomeonenewtotheclub;

• givingspecialoffersonsomeitemstopromotevalueformoney;

• holdingcelebrationdaysforculturalorschoolevents;

• marketingtheclubthroughdisplays,newsletters,newsinassembly,postersandwordof

mouthfromhappycustomers.

Itisimportanttoreviewandmonitortheclubregularlytoevaluateitssuccessandestablish

whetheritismeetingitsoriginalaims,suchasprovidinghealthieralternatives,helping

attendanceorimprovingconcentrationinclass.

Thismightincluderecordingattendancenumbers,surveyingopinionsfromtheschool

communityanddiscussingtheoperationatschoolcouncilorataSNAG.Surveyscouldbe

carriedoutbypupilsaspartoftheformalschoolcurriculum,eghomeeconomics,mathematics

andnumeracy.

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5. Keeping up attendance

6. Evaluating success

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Healthier breakfast club checklist

Istheredemandforahealthierbreakfastclubinyourschool?

Haveyouidentifiedthebenefitsofahealthierbreakfastclubforyourschool?

Areyouclearaboutwhatyouwanttoachieve?

HaveyouinvolvedtheschoolcouncilorSNAG?

Haveyouidentifiedsourcesoffundingorwillyouneedtocharge?

Haveyoudrawnupalistofwhowillruntheclub?

Haveyoufoundoutwhatpupils,parentsandtheschoolcommunitywantfromtheir

breakfastclub?

Areyouclearaboutwhowillattendthehealthierbreakfastclub?

Doyouknowhowtheclubwilloperate?Willitbeaschoolrunclubordiningserverystyle?

Haveyoudecidedwhereandwhentheclubwillrun?

Haveyouidentifiedwhatfoodanddrinkswillbeserved?

Havehealthandsafetyissuesbeenaddressed?

Haveyouidentifiedanypupilswithallergies?

Haveyouplannedastrategytopromoteyour

healthierbreakfastclub?

Haveyouplannedhowyouwillmonitorand

evaluatetheimpactofyourhealthierbreakfast

club?

Integrating with other school food projects

Therearemanynaturallinksthatcanbemadetootherschoolfoodprojects,dependingonyour

school.Linkstohealthierbreakfastclubscouldinclude:

• Ensuringthatthebreakfastclubmenuandhealthybreakmenucomplementeachother

byprovidingarangeofhealthyoptions.

• Makingdishesthatcanbeeatenaspartofahealthierbreakfast,egporridge,beanson

toast.Thiscouldinvolvecookingdifferentbreakfastdishesfromaroundtheworld.

• Discussingtheimportanceoffluidintakeandensuringthatwaterisfreelyavailableatthe

breakfastclub.

• Displayingbreakfastmenusinthediningroomtoencourageattendance.

• Makingtheclubwelcomingandattractivetoenhancethepositivesocialatmosphere.

Case study

Thebreakfastclubatasmallspecialschoolwassetupviatheschoolcouncilaspartofa

wholeschoolapproach.Pupilswereresponsibleforsettinguptheclub,namingittheChillOut

Zone,andnowrunitwithsupportfromthecateringstaff.

Thecateringsupervisorhelpspupilsprepareandservethefood.Shealsotrainedpupilsinfood

hygiene.Theschoolvaluesthecooperationoftheschoolcaterers.

Successfulstrategieshaveincludedinvolvingpupilsfromthestart,workinginpartnershipwith

theschoolcatererandestablishinglinkstotheformalcurriculum.

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Curriculum links

Healthierbreakfastclubsprovideacontextforawidevarietyofcurriculumlinks.

Primary

Language and literacy

Thereisagoodopportunityforspeakingandlistening,includinggroupdiscussionand

interaction,whichalsohelpswritingskills.

Mathematics and numeracy

Pupilscancollectandrecordfinancialcontributionsandcalculatecharges,egnumberof

servingsofcerealinapacket.

The arts

Pupilscandesignmenusforthehealthierbreakfastclub,orlookatwaystousearttobrighten

uptheclub.

Personal development and mutual understanding

Individualsandgroupscantakeandshareresponsibility;feelpositiveaboutthemselves;make

realchoices;meetandtalkwithotherpeopleandaskforhelp.

Post-primary

Learning for life and work

Asurveyofhealthierbreakfastclubuserscanprovidethestimulusforpupilstomakeavailable

awiderangeofbreakfastoptions,suchastraditionalbreadsfromaroundtheworld(pitta,

chapatti,traditionalrye)tohelpmeetthedietaryrequirementsof11–14yearolds.

Local and global citizenship–pupilscouldlookatthemedbreakfastdaysfromotherpartsof

theworld.

Mathematics and numeracy

Pupilscanrecordattendance,incomeandpopularityofbreakfastoptionsusingMicrosoftExcel

spreadsheetstopredictfuturesupplyrequirements.

Modern languages

Pupilscandesignbreakfastmenusreflectingdifferentlanguages.

Forfurtheradviceandsuggestions,goto:

www.ccea.org.uk

www.nicurriculum.org.uk

23

References

1. HealthPromotionAgencyforNorthernIreland.EatingforHealth?Asurveyofeatinghabits

amongchildrenandyoungpeopleinNorthernIreland.Belfast:HPA,2001.

2. Sodexo.TheSodexoschoolmealsandlifestylesurvey2005.London:Sodexo,2005.

3. DeLaHuntyA,AshwellM.Arepeoplewhoregularlyeatbreakfastcerealsslimmerthan

thosewhodon’t?Asystematicreviewoftheevidence.NutritionBulletin,May2007;

32:118–128.

24

Sources of further information

Thefollowinglistprovideslinkstofurther

resourcesandinformationthatmaysupport

youindevelopingyourhealthierbreakfast

club.

Food in schools

www.foodinschools.org

Thefoodinschoolswebsitecontains

materialssuchastemplates,case

studiesandposterstosupportyouin

developinghealthierbreakfastclubsand

otherrelatedhealthiereatingand

drinkingactivitiesinyourschool.The

mostup-to-datematerialscanbefound

onthewebsite.

Food Standards Agency

www.food.gov.uk

Thiswebsiteprovidesinformationand

adviceonhealthiereating,aswellas

healthiercateringpractices.

Scottish community breakfast clubs

www.dietproject.org.uk.

Astep-by-stepguidetotheupsand

downsofsettingupandrunninga

breakfastclub.

New Policy Institute

www.npi.org.uk

Anumberofreportsconcerning

breakfastclubsareavailableto

downloadatthiswebsite.

Newham Early Starts Breakfast clubs

www.teachernet.gov.uk

Ausefulstudyofoneapproachto

breakfastclubsattheLondonBorough

ofNewhamcanbefoundatthis

website’scasestudysection.

Sure Start

www.surestart.gov.uk

SureStartistheGovernment’s

programmetodeliverthebeststartinlife

foreverychildbybringingtogether:

earlyeducation,childcare,healthand

familysupport.

ThisresourcewasoriginallydevelopedandproducedbytheHealthPromotionAgencyforNorthernIrelandaspartoftheSchoolfood:topmarksprogramme.ItwasjointlyfundedbytheDepartmentofEducationandtheDepartmentofHeath,SocialServicesandPublicSafety.