School dinners in the UK

A typical school dinner costs about 2 pounds a day for a secondary pupil in the UK. There is usually a main course, a dessert and a drink. Parents often pay in advance online. School dinners must include food groups such as fruit and vegetables, protein (for example meat, fish or cheese) and cereal (for example rice or pasta). There are rules about how the food is prepared, for example there are limits on the quantity of fried food. More than a third of British school pupils have school dinner. Some take a packed lunch, prepared at home. Others either have lunch at home or eat at nearby take-away restaurants.

We asked some young people to tell us about what they eat at lunch time on school days.

“I have school dinners most days but I take a packed lunch on Fridays. This Friday I had a cheese sandwich, tomatoes, crisps, a chocolate bar and an apple juice.” Tom, 14, Dorset.

“Today we had pizza, salad, then an apple for dessert. I get free school.” Rae, 13, Hathersage.

“I had fish and chips today. I went to the chip shop near school with some friends. Sometimes I take a packed lunch and sometimes my parents give me money to buy lunch.” Theo, 15, Cambridge. “I have school dinner every day. Today I had roast chicken, carrots, green beans and potatoes. For dessert I had cake.” Sarah, 14, Birmingham.

1. Check your understanding: true or false
1.	School dinner is eaten at lunch time.	True	False
2.	A school dinner in the UK costs about 2 pounds.	True	False
3.	All British schoolchildren have school dinners.	True	False
4.	All pupils have lunch at nearby take-away restaurants.	True	False