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The purpose of the qualification is to provide school caterers with the knowledge that will enable them to deliver a healthier school meals service. This qualification has been specifically designed for staff involved in the preparation and service of school meals. The aim of this qualification is to enable school caterers to improve pupil nutritional intake from all food provided by the school meals service.

This qualification will provide candidates with knowledge of the parameters of a balanced diet for children of 5 years of age and above and nutritional standards for school meals in primary and secondary schools. Nutritional standards for nursery schools are also covered for information.

Learners will be equipped with a basic knowledge of the functions of major nutrients, the nutrient composition of different foods and products commonly used in school meals and the practicalities of healthier catering. This will enable learners to identify how to make changes to catering practice in order to improve the nutritional profile of the service as a whole.

Healthier options produced by school caterers need to be promoted to the appropriate target market, learning outcome 2 is designed to encourage learners to develop attractive and innovative marketing ideas. This will include marketing, merchandising and promoting healthier meals.

The aim of this qualification is to provide the candidate with the knowledge to enable them to deliver a healthier school meals service through;

• The provision of meals using healthier catering practices in the preparation, cooking and serving of school meals
• The promotion and marketing of healthier choices in school dining rooms.

What qualification will I achieve?
City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Providing a Healthier School Meals Service.

How long is the course and how will I be assessed?
This is a 6 hour course with an on line or paper based multi choice exam at the end. 80% of the exam will test your knowledge of learning outcome 1, 20% of learning outcome 2.

What are the entry requirements?
Employment in the School Meals Service is preferable. No specific prior qualifications, learning or experience are required for candidates undertaking the qualification, however, the nature of both the learning and assessment required for the qualification is such that candidates will need basic literacy and numeracy skills.

How will I learn?
The course can be delivered in the workplace to a group of 8 or more or in college. The delivery can be in a full 6 hour session or broken down to fit in with the workplace. The final exam will need to be taken in College.

What subjects will I study?
This has been designed specifically for school caterers, mid day supervisors and support staff and will provide them with the knowledge to deliver a healthier school meals service. It covers the requirements for a balanced diet for children of five and above, and nutritional standards for nursery, primary and secondary school meals.
There are 2 outcomes to this qualification covering the following areas;

Outcome 1: Identify how to provide a range of healthier foods and meals in the school dining room: Describe the different food groups and their proportions in a healthy, balanced diet as recommended by government guidelines; State the national nutritional standards for healthy school lunches in nursery, primary and secondary schools; Identify those food commodities which are more likely to contribute to a healthy diet; State how catering practices can be modified to improve the nutrient content of meals and cafeteria services available to school children

Outcome 2: Develop marketing ideas and material to promote healthier food choices to the target market through the school meals service Identify the key selling points likely to attract the target market; Describe ways to promote choices on menus that encourage the selection of healthier combinations of food items to make up a meal; State what practical marketing activities will be undertaken to improve current marketing practice; Identify what forms of evaluation could be used to monitor changes/improvements to the school meals service

What opportunities will this lead to?
This qualification provides a gateway to a Level 2 NVQ Qualification.

What are the costs?
Furness College has some funding in place for this course which will be on a first come first served basis. There is also the possibility of some cooking instruction but this will come at an extra cost of around £20.00 which will include the cost of food.