Our funding supports Chefs in Schools to improve food provision and strengthen food culture acrosssecondary schools. Its hands-on approach works with school leaders, catering teams and pupils to make practical changes to kitchens, menus and dining.
The programme includes intensive support for schools moving towards better catering models, alongside training that gives chefs greater confidence to prepare nutritious food from scratch. It also explores new approaches to snacks, menus and pupil engagement, building practical evidence.
The work includes specialist support for SEND schools. This has involved accessible and Braille menus, sensitive food-exposure activities for pupils who may find unfamiliar foods challenging, and help for schools bringing catering in-house. In mainstream settings, practical trials such as healthier snack takeovers explore whether nutritious options can be appealing to pupils and financially viable for schools.
Our grant also supports the development of a wider school pipeline and a network of Beacon Schools that can demonstrate and share good practice. We are funding this work because better school food depends on skilled people, workable kitchens and sustainable systems. Chefs in Schools is helping schools turn ambition into practical, lasting change while learning what makes healthier food attractive and achievable.
Awarded July 2025