8 in 10 teachers say unhealthy school food fuels disruptive behaviour, as school food standards consultation closes

New data shows teachers associate school food with behaviour, concentration and children’s life chances, with strongest support for action in disadvantaged communities to improve school food.

In a survey of over 6,000 primary and secondary school teachers across England [1]:

• 80% say unhealthy lunch/break food can lead to disruptive behaviour.
• 85% say diet affects concentration.
• 87% say schools have a vital role in ensuring children from lower-income families can eat well at school.

As the government’s first consultation on school food standards in over a decade closes, [2] an overwhelming majority of teachers agree that what children eat at school has a direct impact on behaviour and concentration. New survey findings show that 80% of teachers agree unhealthy food at lunch and breaktime can lead to disruptive behaviour, while 85% say diet affects pupils’ ability to concentrate. The findings add weight to the need for these stronger school food standards and comprehensive monitoring of what is being served in schools. 

The survey is backed up by case studies from teachers who have reported to have seen positive trends in behaviour and attainment, at least in part due to better food. 

Headteacher Samantha Palin said: “Our last three years of (attainment)  data at primary level
have been significantly above the national average. That’s never down to just one thing, but I’d love to think it’s in part due to the nutritious food.”

"In 2024 we lost access to our school field for a year and so the children were having to play in quite a restricted space. In a normal school, particularly a primary school, you'd have expected to see a spike in accidents and fights between kids because of that constrained space, but we didn't see that. I think this was a direct impact of the positive atmosphere and environment in the school lunch hall, and because the children were not being fed sugary foods with preservatives and e-numbers."

David Littlemore, Executive Headteacher, King’s Academy Prospect, a secondary school where around 38% of the student population are eligible for Free School Meals, told food education organisation School Food Matters:

"What students consume during the school day directly shapes the classroom environment. Teachers consistently observe that proper nutrition is a prerequisite for effective learning; when diets are high in sugar and ultra-processed ingredients, we see a direct correlation with disruptive behaviour and a drop in concentration. Restricting school drinks to water is a straightforward, necessary step toward creating a stable, focused, and equitable learning environment for every child."

The survey also found strong agreement (87%) that schools play a vital role in ensuring children from lower-income families can eat well during the school day. This view was even more prevalent among teachers in schools serving the most deprived communities, with 90% of teachers in the highest free school meal (FSM) eligibility quartile agreeing that schools have this responsibility. At a time when too many children are arriving at school hungry or struggling to concentrate, stronger school food standards would help level the playing field and give every child a fairer chance to learn and thrive.

The Food Foundation’s most recent food insecurity survey found that 13.13% of UK households with children experienced food insecurity in January 2026, making a nutritious meal at lunchtime even more important for the 2.1 million children this affects.

Improving school food is one of the greatest opportunities to tackle crippling levels of childhood obesity and tooth decay. As highlighted in the Food Foundation’s recent Broken Plate report, in an average English Reception class of 30 children, three will be living with obesity. By Year 6, this more than doubles. In reception, children in the most deprived group are nearly twice as likely to develop obesity than those in the least deprived group. More than 1 in 5 five-year-olds in England have tooth decay, rising to more than 1 in 3 in the most deprived areas.

The Government’s 9-week consultation on school food standard closed on 12 June, marking the start of a new era for school food. Highlights from the proposed standards include:

• More fruit, veg and pulses to increase fibre consumption.
• Prioritising freshly prepared dishes that will nourish and fill children up, rather than wasting precious budget on highly processed foods that contain little nutritional value.
• Restricting foods higher in fat, sugar and salt.
• Ensuring free access to drinking water. 

The Government has laid out a timeline to announce the final standards, alongside a new compliance package, in September 2026 to coincide with the expansion of Free School Meals to all children from households on Universal Credit.  

Dr Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy & Advocacy at The Food Foundation, said: “This update to school food standards is a pivotal moment for school food, and for our children’s health, wellbeing and learning. With children eating at school 190 days of the year, the potential impact that good school food is huge. There is widespread support for improved school food, and now is the time to turn that support into action. The new standards set a new benchmark for school food, with more fruit, veg and fibre, and less processed food which is high in fat, sugar and salt. Looking forward to September, it is essential that the Government puts these new standards into legislation and importantly publishes a strong monitoring and compliance package that ensures that the food served to all children up and down the country matches the ambitions of the new standards.”

Maria Bryant, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, FixOurFood, University of York, said:

“This work contributes to evidence that highlights the role of good nutrition in schools beyond health alone. Good food at schools provides opportunities to improve learning, behaviour and attainment. Done well, it can even have a positive impact on our environment. It's great to see these findings shining a light on the importance of school food and feel optimistic that newer, improved school food standards can help us achieve these joint goals (provided they are ambitious enough).” 

Help is available for schools and caterers to seize this moment and truly transform school food for future generations. 

School leaders, caterers, governors and parents can sign up to the 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. Find out more and sign up via www.schoolfoodproject.org.uk

The Food Foundation’s response to the consultation on “School Food Standards: updating the legislative framework.” 

The school food standards consultation comes at a pivotal time for school food. In September 2026, universal breakfast clubs will be rolled out and all children in England from families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals, benefiting over half a million additional pupils. The standards set now will play a pivotal role in shaping children's health and relationship with food for decades to come. Our detailed responses to each question are informed by that ambition.

You can read The Food Foundation's full response with recommendations by clicking the button below.