Nutrition and food education

According to the independent review, National Food Strategy report published in July 2021, the government should focus on establishing effective food education as part of the wider food system.

The report highlights that effective cooking, and nutrition education plays an important role in the food system and can help prevent obesity and poor health later in life. In response, the government published a Food Strategy for England, which sets out a narrower focus on some of the recommendations including healthier sustainable diets.

National guidelines

Department for Education (DfE) guidelines state that cooking and nutrition should be part of the Design and Technology curriculum. Key stage 1 to key stage 3 pupils should be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating through their education.

Food teaching guidelines in primary and secondary schools offer a framework of knowledge and skills that is required of schools that teach children about food.

Resources for schools

Key resources are available that schools can use to teach cooking and nutrition effectively. They are based on the UK’s healthy eating model called The Eatwell Guide.

The guide explains the different types of foods and drinks to eat, and in what amounts, for a healthy and more sustainable diet.

Richmond Public Health

Public Health provides schools participating in the Healthy Schools programme with bespoke free resources to support teaching on the Health Education curriculum and the UK Eatwell Guide.

These resources, together with the healthy eating assembly and classroom workshop PowerPoint, are suitable for Key Stage 2 pupils and above. To find out more about our support to schools contact publichealth@richmond.gov.uk.

Food - a fact of life

The Food - a fact of life programme is an educational side of the British Nutrition Foundation.

The programme offers teachers guidance on good practices for teaching food and nutrition to primary students, secondary students, and students with additional needs. The programme also provides free resources for teaching children and young people aged 3 to 16 about food, cooking, and healthy eating.

This includes:

A dashboard to help with lesson planning
Free cooking curriculum resources for different age groups from 3 to 16, including pupils with additional needs
Lesson plans, presentations, videos, activity packs, guides and food cards
Whole school food resources, including policy templates
Support for planning and setting up a growing club
Food life skills to help students learn about cooking while considering healthy eating, food hygiene and safety, and budgeting
Activities and resources to engage with parents and carers
Professional development tools, including virtual practical workshops for schools
Webinars on healthy eating topics including tackling food waste, sustainable diets and allergies
Sustainable healthy food

For effective assessment and monitoring purposes, schools can use:

Each programme of study comprises of a six-week scheme of learning, lesson plans, and resources. These are all tailored to meet primary school food curricular around the UK, whether you teach food in cooking and nutrition, technologies, or design and technology.

British Nutrition Foundation

Reliable information on nutrition that is grounded in science is available from the British Nutrition Foundation charity.

This includes:

Healthy Eating Week resource packs to help schools run the annual event in September. The resources can be adapted for use throughout the year
Looking at labels resources to teach children how to read food labels and make healthy choices
Get portion wise enhances understanding of the types and quantities of foods needed for a healthy, balanced diet for ourselves and our families
The Eatwell Guide summarises key information about each food group

School Food Matters

School Food Matters is a charity campaigning for better access to sustainable healthy food during school time and quality food education.

They are involved in many school projects including:

Food growing

Teaching children about the origins of food and how to grow their own fruit and vegetables is an important part of food education. The following websites offer resources and support to integrate growing activities into the curriculum:

Garden Organic - School gardening resources: Visual guides on planting, caring for seedlings, and constructing beds, along with helpful posters and resources for beginners
Garden Organic - School growing past projects: Case studies and publications on setting up growing activities to teach children about sustainability and climate change
Trees for Cities - Food growing resources: A range of resources to supplement the curriculum, including booklets, videos, and printable visuals for sharing with parents
Food - a fact of life - Guide to growing club: Tips and resources to help you get started with growing activities
Countryside Classroom: Resources, places to visit, and school support related to food, farming and the natural environment
The Garden Classroom: Resources and training for teachers to connect urban children and families with nature
School Food Matters - Gardening resources: Tips and resources to help you start and maintain a garden, and to support biodiversity

Other resources

A range of other resources are also available from national organisations, including:

TasteEd: Offers teachers support, training and resource to deliver a range of simple taste education lessons tailored to the English National Curriculum and parents’ TasteEd videos
School food project: A national initiative supporting schools to deliver high quality food and meaningful food education, in line with the new School Food Standards
Oak National Academy: Offers cooking and nutrition resources and lesson plans for primary school aged pupils free to use
See & Eat ebooks: Show the journey of different vegetables from farm to fork. Research shows that pre-schoolers are more likely to eat vegetables if they recognise them and understand where they come from
Belly bugs: A school programme introducing children to their beneficial gut microbes or 'Belly Bugs'. It offers free, curriculum linked resources and lessons for EYFS, KS1 and KS2, covering subjects like maths, English, science, art, DT and PSHE health and wellbeing. Every lesson is science backed and includes a teachers booklet and plan
E-Bug: A free educational resource about micro-organisms and the spread, prevention and treatment of infections
Eating well recipe book: Provides healthy recipes for 5 to 18 year olds, suitable for sharing with parents or using in cookery lessons
School Zone: Offers curriculum linked resources and inspiration for teaching children about healthy eating and being active
NHS Food scanner app: Helps identify healthy alternatives to family favourites
NHS healthy recipes: A hub with tips for breakfasts, packed lunches, dinners, and desserts
BEAT: The UK’s eating disorder charity, offering support to individuals that suffer from eating disorders and their carers. They also provide resources and Schools Professionals Online Training
AYPH: Developed a lesson plan for KS3 to KS5 students called 'Fair and Equal Opportunity to Enjoy Good Health'

Up to: Healthy schools

Updated: 16 June 2026