"Improving the meal experience has a positive impact on the take-up of school meals, and the wider school day," says the School Food Trust.  "This means more money can be spent on further improvements to quality, happier and calmer children and it makes a positive contribution to health and Healthy Schools status."

"In addition, it encourages positive social behaviour amongst students, will support increased take-up of free school meals and make a significant contribution to the schools self-evaluation for review by Ofsted."

The School Food Trust publication, a fresh look at the school meal experience, brings together all the great things schools have done to improve the experience children and young people have at lunchtime.  This booklet is a great resource to help towards the Million Meal Campaign and Healthy Rewards.  (See the Million Meals page on this site.)

If you would like a free copy of the booklet, email info@sft.gsi.gov.uk or ask to borrow the school cook's copy at your child's school.

Improvement ideas include:

• Setting up an action group
• Improving the dining space
• Reducing noice and queues
• Keeping behaviour in check
• Enjoying healthy options
• Getting support from parents
• How to get school staff to dine with the children
• Meeting everyone's needs

The School Meal Service is working with schools to make lunch time an enjoyable experience for all.