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<p>The government wants to support the health and wellbeing of everyone. The department
understands the importance of education in delivering this aim and the department
is supporting schools in a number of ways to provide high quality nutrition education
for their students.</p><p> </p><p>Nutrition is a discrete strand of the national curriculum
for Design and Technology (D&T). This was introduced as part of the 2014 D&T
curriculum and is compulsory for key stages 1 to 3. The curriculum aims to teach children
how to cook and how to apply the principles of healthy eating and nutrition. It recognises
that cooking is an important life skill that will help children to feed themselves
and others healthy and affordable food.</p><p> </p><p>A food preparation and nutrition
GCSE was introduced in September 2016. It requires pupils to understand and apply
the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating when preparing and cooking
food.</p><p> </p><p>The importance of nutrition is also included in the science curriculum
for both primary and secondary schools. Nutrition through healthy eating is covered
through topics relating to nutrition and digestion, which cover the content of a healthy
diet and the impact of diet on how the body functions.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory
guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health
Education includes content on the importance of daily exercise, good nutrition and
the risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, including obesity.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout
the guidance, there is an emphasis on empowering young people to make choices and
adopt lifestyles that will increase their chance of living happy and healthy lives
to support the agenda on tackling obesity. To support teachers to deliver the healthy
eating topic, the department has developed a teacher training module which can be
accessed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health#train-teachers-on-relationships-sex-and-health-education"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health#train-teachers-on-relationships-sex-and-health-education</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The government also supports the provision of nutritious food in schools, which
ensures pupils are well nourished, develop healthy eating habits and can concentrate
and learn.</p><p> </p><p>The standards for school food are set out in the Requirements
for School Food Regulations 2014. The School Food Standards are part of the government’s
drive to help children adopt healthy eating habits from a young age. The department
provides a number of resources for schools, which are available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme also provides over 2.2 million children
in reception and key stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables each day
at school. Schools are encouraged to use it as an opportunity to educate children
and to assist a healthy, balanced diet.</p><p> </p><p>The Oak National Academy will
be providing a fully resourced curriculum for key stages 1 to 3 for food and nutrition.
This will align with the national curriculum and Oak’s guiding principles, which focus
on the knowledge and skills specific to food and nutrition.</p><p> </p><p>Oak have
assured the department that pupils will be able to cook more than six savoury dishes
by the end of key stage three by following their food curriculum.</p>
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