School Food Trust advises ban on junk food

The School Food Trust has recommended that schools lock their gates at lunchtime to prevent pupils buying junk food from fast food outlets.

It said that as concerns about childhood obesity continue to grow schools should insist that meals are eaten onsite to ensure that children are eating healthy school dinners or packed lunches.

"At the moment school canteens have to compete with a myriad of takeaways, chippies, and sweet shops for pupils' dinner money," said School Food Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon.

A survey by the trust found that the average secondary school has around 23 fast food outlets and sweet shops within a one-mile radius and it claims limiting children's access to these will encourage healthier eating.

But the Association of School and College Leaders has insisted the lock-in proposals are unworkable, claiming many schools do not have the staff or the resources to ensure that all children remain in the canteen at lunchtime.

Separate research conducted by the School Food Trust shows that 90 per cent of parents would support a stay on site policy.