Free school meals could have been on the menu in Guernsey

The committee drew up plans to reinforce health and wellbeing in schools, and it would have allowed for the introduction of free school meals ‘should this emerge as a policy priority’.

Data from the Health Improvement Commission was cited which revealed a close correlation between socio-economic inequality and increased weight among local children and a decline in physical activity throughout childhood.

In 2019, some 17% of children in Year 1 were classed as overweight or obese.

That increased to 29% of local children by Year 5.

The 2019 children and young people’s survey provided further insight into children’s diet and activity.

For example, 34% of primary-aged pupils and 50% of secondary pupils indicated that they ‘never’ or only ‘sometimes’ considered their health when choosing what to eat.

There were similar percentages of children and young people who responded that they wanted to lose weight.

At that time, only 20% of primary pupils and 16% of secondary students reported that they did activity which would have met national guidelines.

The current Education Law, which has been in place since 1970, is described as ‘largely silent’ on healthy eating and physical activity.

However, the report does highlight that there are lots of strands that support health and wellbeing in schools, including the daily mile, which had been introduced by 12 primary schools, and the primary school sports partnership which supports PE lessons.

‘There are significant drivers for ensuring that children are subject to healthy food and activity levels in and around the school day and this is already recognised even in the absence of explicit legislation.

‘While it could be argued that this indicates no strengthening of the legislation is required, it would be difficult to envisage a future where good, and continuously improving policies and practice in these areas are not the expectation.’