10 March 2004 - Wolverhampton - Food in Schools

Food In Schools: Improving Health, Improving Schools

A conference for schools to share best practice and to find out about new developments in the West Midlands region

Childhood nutrition is a major public health issue and its priority has increased in importance within the political agenda. It has a major impact on the future health status, quality of life and life expectancy within the population.

This conference aims to:

• Consider the policy agenda in relation to how schools can contribute to tackling childhood obesity and in improving children's diets at a local level.
• Launch the Department of Health's new 'Food in Schools' programme. there will be the opportunity to share best practice and discuss how good nutrition can influence behaviour and educational attainment in schools.
• Update schools on the impact of the Department of Health's announcement to continue funding for the National School Fruit Scheme from April 2004. We will discuss new developments and what this means for schools.

Who should attend
Head teachers
School Fruit Co-ordinators
Breakfast Club Co-ordinators
Healthy Schools Co-ordinators
Food and Health Workers

Speakers include:

• Danila Armstrong, Department of Health, on "Diet, Health and Children: The Policy Agenda"

• Dr Alex Richardson, University of Oxford, on "Raising educational attainment: Diet and brain development"

• Caroline MacMillan, Policy Officer DfES, on "Nutritional Standards for School Meals"