Medical and health-related diets
Diabetes
Most children with diabetes need to carefully manage their carbohydrate intake to align with their insulin dosage. This means that carbohydrate-rich foods - such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and fruit juice - should be measured accurately before being served.
Children with diabetes should follow the same healthy eating principles recommended for all children. However, due to the challenges of blood sugar regulation and increased risk of cardiovascular issues, the consequences of a poor diet can be more significant.
It is important that insulin regimens are tailored to fit the child’s lifestyle, rather than expecting the child to adapt to the regimen. With thoughtful planning and collaboration between families, school staff, and healthcare professionals, children with diabetes can enjoy a balanced and inclusive school meal experience.
Obesity
Children who are overweight or obese do not require a separate or 'special' diet.
Read more about healthy eating in schools
Severe food allergies
Some food allergies can be severe and, in rare cases, life-threatening. While nut allergies are among the most well-known, serious allergic reactions can be triggered by a wide range of foods. At times, parents may wish to include nutritious items in their child’s packed lunch that are known allergens for other pupils - for example, nuts, which are a valuable source of unsaturated fats, fibre, and vitamin E.
In schools where a child has a severe nut allergy, headteachers may request that nuts are not brought into the school by pupils or staff. However, it is not practical to declare a school entirely 'nut-free,' as this could create a false sense of security. For instance, it is not feasible to guarantee that every snack or packed lunch item is completely free from traces of nuts. Similarly, excluding other common allergens such as milk or eggs is not realistic in a school setting.
A more practical approach is to adopt a 'nut-aware' policy. This involves raising awareness among staff, pupils, and families about the risks and taking reasonable steps to minimise exposure. Children with severe allergies should be supported in understanding the importance of not sharing food, and schools should work closely with parents to implement appropriate risk-reduction strategies - such as clear cleaning protocols and safe food handling practices.
Medical based diets not prescribed by a medical professional
If you are requesting a medically related diet that has not been prescribed by a healthcare professional (such as a GP, dietitian, or consultant), we strongly recommend discussing it with your GP. This ensures they are aware of your child’s needs and can offer appropriate advice and guidance to help maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
Special dietary products
We provide special dietary products when required, such as gluten-free pasta, baguettes, and soya milk. To comply with strict food safety and hygiene regulations, we only serve food that has been prepared in our own kitchens. Food brought from home is only permitted in exceptional circumstances and must be agreed upon in advance.
Children requiring texture modification
Some children may find certain food textures challenging, often due to underdeveloped oral motor skills that make chewing or swallowing more difficult. Developing the ability to manage a variety of textures is an important part of normal speech and feeding development. Therefore, where appropriate, children who are capable of handling more varied and complex textures should be encouraged to do so as part of their ongoing development.