From the first days of nursery to the final few weeks of secondary school, it\u2019s vital children and teens eat a healthy, balanced diet that provides all the energy and nutrients they need to grow. There\u2019s evidence that enjoying nutritious food can have a positive impact on children\u2019s behaviour at school, which in turn may support learning<\/span><\/a> and improve overall academic performance<\/span><\/a>. Eating well throughout these years also builds the foundation for healthy eating habits that last a lifetime, so children and teens grow into healthy adults.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s evidence that enjoying nutritious food can have a positive impact on children\u2019s behaviour at school, which in turn may support learning<\/span><\/a> and improve overall academic performance<\/span><\/a>. Eating well throughout these years also builds the foundation for healthy eating habits that last a lifetime, so children and teens grow into healthy adults.<\/p>\n
Giving young children milk to drink has recently been supported in a report from a group of independent science experts who advise the Government on nutrition and health issues. The report on feeding 1 to 5 year olds<\/span><\/a> was published in July 2023 and recommends that milk or water (in addition to breast milk), should make up the majority of drinks given to children of this age. Suitable milks are pasteurised whole and semi-skimmed cow\u2019s milk (plus goat\u2019s and sheep\u2019s milk). In contrast, the report says sugar-sweetened drinks should not be given.<\/p>\n
School milk is an excellent way to add nutrients to children\u2019s diets. At the top of the list are protein and calcium. Protein is crucial for muscle growth, while calcium is essential for teeth. Both are vital for children\u2019s bones to grow and develop. Good intakes of calcium are especially important during the teenage years when large amounts are deposited in bones \u2013 the more calcium that\u2019s deposited, the stronger bones will be in later life. Yet figures from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey<\/span><\/a> \u2013 a large ongoing survey that monitors the nutrient intakes of people living in the UK \u2013 reveals 15% of children aged 11 to 18 years have very low calcium intakes.<\/p>\n
A lesser-known nutritional benefit of milk is the iodine it provides. Alongside being vital for growth, iodine helps to support cognitive function, the term used to describe mental activities such as attention, memory, language, reasoning, thinking, decision-making, and problem solving. However, many children fail to get enough iodine in their diets. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey<\/span><\/a> shows 7% of 4-10 year olds and 24% of 11-18 year olds have very low intakes, so are at risk of a deficiency. Milk makes a significant contribution to iodine intakes, providing around a third and a quarter of the iodine<\/span><\/a> in the diets of these age groups, respectively.<\/p>\n
Currently, about 160 million children around the world<\/span><\/a> benefit from school milk, including 9.8 million in the UK thanks to school milk schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Providing children at school with milk dates back over a century in the UK. In 1906, the Education (Provision of Meals) Act<\/span><\/a> led to the<\/span> introduction of school meals in England and Wales. Unlike today, there were no guidelines for school meals, but a glass of milk was commonly included<\/span><\/a> as part of the food provided.<\/p>\n
By the late 1920s, the dairy industry began providing milk to schools in larger cities.<\/a><\/span> This quickly expanded across the nation resulting in the first Milk in Schools Scheme. In 1934, the government launched the scheme throughout England, Wales and Scotland. 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The UK continues to recognise the important role nutrient-rich milk plays in the diets of children in early years settings and schools.<\/p>\n
There are schemes in place in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that provide cow\u2019s milk for children in day care, childminding and nursery settings from the age of one, right through to the primary and secondary school years. Its important to note that they do differ by devolved region; please use our handy guide below to find out more about the schemes in your area.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”7%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”7%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” id=”inyourarea” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-right” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1726760815563{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n
Primary and secondary schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are able to buy milk at a reduced or subsidised price<\/span><\/a>, which means they can sell it to students at a lower price. Schools that take part in buying subsidised milk for their students often provide 200ml servings of semi-skimmed milk. This makes a big contribution to daily nutrient needs.<\/p>\n
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