Working with schools can be very rewarding. You can provide a key service to your community and may be a useful way in which to build experience or as a potential source of income. This section explains how to get involved, who to contact, useful resources to support you, ideas on what services you can bring to schools, organisations offering work placements, and much more.
Introduction
Each school is expected to achieve the government guidelines for Healthy School status, including healthy eating and exercise. School meals and healthy eating is also an Ofstead requirement. Although there has been some changes over the past few years regarding regulating bodies and frameworks there are some fantastic resources available and a natural desire for all schools and parents to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Despite all these best intentions and resources, there is a real need for nutritional therapists (and other therapists) to get involved. Schools often do not have the specific knowledge and struggle for the time to implement the government initiatives, and in many cases welcome with open arms any additional help. What an opportunity!
How to get involved
Firstly you need to know who to approach when trying to get involved with schools. This can change from school to school but the first person to try is the head teacher. They will put you in touch with the person who would co-ordinate therapies. There are a number of schools who have specialist units such as Autism centres and then the Senco (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) is the most likely point of contact.
Tip
Do some preparation and have some ideas. Read up on what the governing bodies below are doing. Have a realistic and supportive approach (read below) and ask what the school is looking for in terms of support and what they have done so far. Ask what resources they have and how you can integrate into their setup.
Tip
Do not go in with all guns blazing and expecting to change everything within a school overnight. You will get a sore head from banging it against a brick wall and not make many friends. Remember that the people you are working with, despite their best intentions, are in battle every day of the week and can struggle to implement some of the most simple ideas and changes you may have. My advise is to swim with the current and adapt your great ideas to the school and the people within.
Be aware
You may need to get a CRB check to be able to work with children, depending upon the role you take. This will need to be discussed as to who would finance this.
Work placements
There are organisations who provide a range of therapies in schools. These organisations are often looking for volunteers to help and this can be an ideal way to work within an established set up and alongside other therapists.
Kids Company
This charity works with a number of both primary and secondary schools across London and offer a range of therapies to children with difficulties. Kids Company also run 2 centres providing a drop in service to older children. To find out more about their volunteer opportunities click on the link below.
Key Resources
There are 3 key organisations who set and guide the various guidelines in schools, and provide a wealth of resources and information.
School Food Trust
The School Food Trust is a national charity and specialist advisor to the Government on school meals, children’s food and related skills.
Food Standards Agency
Provides advice for schools and helps them develop school food policies.
The FSA have produced a range of useful tools based around a concept called the 'Food route'. It covers a range of ages and is great fun.
Department of Education - Healthy Schools
The DoEd provides some very useful tool kits and information as to how to implement healthy eating in schools.
The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has recently written a briefing paper and a range of factsheets on nutrition, health and schoolchildren.
Other resources
Lunchbox ideas - Change 4 life
Lunchbox ideas - School Food Trust
Magic breakfast - providing free breakfasts to school and often looking for help.
CRB checks - BANT information page and contacts.
Useful books
The Art of Hiding Vegetables - Karen Bali & Sally Child
Ideas on how you can help in schools
There are many ways in which you can help in schools. You can advise on menu planning, support initiatives such as breakfast clubs, introduce schemes such as herb gardens or vegetable plots, set up regular food awareness days such as International food days (where every one brings in a traditional meal or recipe), offer pupil or parent talks, or even offer one to one consultations to selected pupils.
Building your business through schools
There are always business opportunities when working with schools. Firstly you are creating awareness in the community. You have a defined market through which to promote other services you can provide. You can discuss a fee with the school and/or additional paid services you could offer. You may wish to get your feet under the table initially to gain some experience and for the school to appreciate your value. At the very least you are getting some very useful experience, building your CV, and providing an invaluable service to future generations.
