Frequenty asked questions

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

Everyone working with or in schools should have the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure that healthy nutritious food is provided throughout the school day.
School FEAST is a network of training centres and partnerships which offers any member of the school food workforce across the country access to excellent training.  

Q. What kind of training is offered by the School FEAST network?

Each School FEAST centre or partnership of the network provides 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 provides a core offer along with any additional training and qualifications to suit their learners.

The core offer includes:

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

This core offer was 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.

Q. Who pays for training?

Some courses are fully funded; others must be paid for. Please contact your nearest centre or partnership for more information.

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

A School FEAST centre is a sole organisation providing the core training offer directly.
A School FEAST partnership comprises one lead organisation and at least one partner. Collectively they provide the full core offer. The lead organisation is 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?

While the School FEAST network's offer is ideal for providers of food across all environments, it is unique in its focus on school food. Furthermore, School FEAST complements existing training providers by offering training and qualifications for all those involved with the school meals agenda, including school cooks, head teachers, school business managers and  employers. 
All School FEAST centres and partnerships work with and support employers to ensure that all training and development needs are understood and 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?

While every centre and partnership provides the entire core offer (see the explanation above, about the core offer), it represents only a small proportion of the qualifications available to the school food workforce. Training courses are continually developing and responding to learners' needs. This is via a pre-training assessment and in partnership with employers, so that individualised learning programmes can be devised.  Each centre and partnership is responsible for ensuring the quality of the delivery and provision of all their qualifications and training.

Q. There is no School FEAST centre or partnership within easy reach for me. What shoud I do?

Please note that much of the School FEAST training can be done on site in the workplace, so it may mean you don't have to travel beyond your workplace. Some centres and partnerships have mobile training units too. Please contact your nearest centre or partnership to find out more.

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 School Food Trust adopted this name but, while kitchens would be central to the training programme, other areas of training would also be covered. All partners agreed a new name was needed and School FEAST was born.

Q. Did the School FEAST network receive funding?

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

Q. Will the School Food Trust offer any further funding?

No. 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 must come from other sources. Visit www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk for information on funding and grants.