Frequently Asked Questions

Q. This is the first time I have heard about the School FEAST network. What is it?

Everyone who works within the school environment should have the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure that healthy nutritious food is provided throughout the school day.
The School FEAST is a network of training centres and partnerships which will, over time, enable any member of the school food workforce - wherever they happen to be in the country - to access excellent training to meet the needs of their customers… now and in the future.

Q. What training will be offered by members of the School FEAST network?

Each School FEAST centre or partnership of the network will provide a comprehensive package of training and qualifications, from hands-on cooking lessons to formal qualifications at NVQ level 2 and beyond. Each centre or partnership will provide a ‘Core Offer’ along with any additional training and qualifications to suit their learners.
The Core Offer is:

• VRQ Level 1 Award in Providing a Healthier Meals Service
• Support Work in Schools Level 2
• Support Work in Schools Level 3
• NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery
• NVQ Level 2 Food Processing and Cooking

Q. You mention School FEAST. What happened to Regional Training Centres?

The Secretary of State for Education and Skills and Jamie Oliver originally called School FEAST, Regional Training Kitchens. The Trust adopted the name Regional Training Centres to illustrate that, whilst kitchens would be central to the training programme, other areas of training would also be covered. This interim approach was agreed at an event in January. However, all partners agreed that there was a need for a new name to accurately reflect the purpose of the centres.
Building on this and further feedback received over the last six months, the Trust has chosen School FEAST (Food Excellence And Skills Training) to be the new name.

Q. Has the School FEAST network been provided with funding?

Yes, the Department of Children, Schools & Families (formally the Department for Education and Skills) provided £2m capital fund grant in the 2007-08 financial year to support the establishment of the School FEAST network. All allocations of Capital Fund has been made following a robust and vigorous assessment process.

Q. Is the School Food Trust going to offer any further funding?

The School Food Trust is unable to provide any additional funding to support the set-up or on-going costs of the School FEAST centres and partnerships. Any additional funding will need to be accessed through other funding sources. Visit www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk for information on funding and grants.

Q. What is the difference between School FEAST centres and School FEAST partnerships?

A School FEAST centre is a sole organisation that will provide the full core offer directly.
A School FEAST partnership is made up of one lead organisation and at least one partner who will collectively provide the full core offer. The lead organisation will be responsible for the overall management of the partnership. The partners are generally responsible for providing elements or all of the training provisions.

Q. I am an employer and already offer my staff training. What does the network offer for me?

The aim of the School FEAST network is to support existing excellent training providers to provide range of training and qualifications for all those involved with the school meals agenda, including school cooks, head teachers, bursars and their employers, wherever they are in the country.
All School FEAST centres and partnerships are required to engage with, and support, the employers in their area to ensure that all training and development needs are understood are met.

Q. I am an employer and I am interested in training my staff. Is there any training offered other than that identified in the Core Offer?

The Core Offer has been developed by the School Food Trust and its partners; People 1st, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Training and Development Agency, Food Standards Agency, the Learning and Skills Council and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
While every centre and partnership must offer the entire Core Offer, it represents only a small proportion of the qualifications available to the school food workforce and should develop, in response to the pre-training assessment and in partnership with employers, an individualised learning programme that meets the needs of the learner.
It is the responsibility of each centre and partnership to ensure the quality of the delivery and provision of all qualifications and training they offer.

Q. There is no School FEAST centre or partnership near to me that I can practicably get to. Are you expecting others to join the network?

The Trust is looking to build on the foundation created by the first stage of the assessment process and hoping to invite further applications early in spring 2008.
These applications will develop the existing network through providing innovation and niche services and extend the geographical coverage.

Q. How has the capital fund grant been allocated to School FEAST centres and partnerships?

The capital fund grant has been allocated through a robust assessment process.
All those interested in applying for a proportion of the capital fund grant were required to complete a robust business plan. The business plans were assessed by the School Food Trust and the decisions were validated by an independent panel of strategic partners.

Q. I am interested in becoming a member of the School FEAST network. Can I join?

The Trust has recently completed the assessment process for those organisations who are interested in becoming a member of the School FEAST network. The Trust is looking to build on the foundation created through this assessment process and hoping to invite further applications early in early spring 2008. More information will be available on the School FEAST website in early 2008.

Q. The capital fund grant is to a maximum of £200,000. What are the rules for VAT on this amount? 

Any request for capital funding must include VAT if your organisation is unable to claim VAT from HM Revenue and Customs. However, if your organisation is able to claim VAT you must not include VATE within your request.