Nutrition student contributes to West Cheshire Food Partnership input on school food standards

Helen Dunning, 54, from Chester, carried out a qualitative study exploring parental perceptions of secondary school meals locally. As part of her work, Helen met with the West Cheshire Food Partnership, coordinated by Cheshire West Voluntary Action where she shared insights from her research.

The Government’s consultation seeks to update the School Food Standards, which have been in place since 2014, to better reflect current dietary guidance and improve children’s health outcomes.

Elements of Helen’s findings were considered by the West Cheshire Food Partnership in shaping its partnership response to the government consultation, demonstrating how student research can support community-led engagement with public policy.

Helen’s research identified key concerns among parents, including limited transparency about what children eat, short lunch breaks that encourage quick, less healthy choices and inconsistencies in food quality linked to school catchment areas. She found a significant “trust gap,” with parents feeling unable to monitor or influence their children’s food choices and highlighted how time pressures and canteen environments shape eating habits.

Helen said her project was inspired by her son’s experience of school meals and aimed to reflect real community perspectives.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted that my research findings are being shared through the West Cheshire Food Partnership. It really shows just how important this work is. As a mature student pivoting careers, it is incredibly rewarding to see my dissertation bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world local engagement.

“Knowing that the voices of the Chester parents I interviewed are being heard by those involved in shaping responses to national consultations is the ultimate validation for this project.”

Rebecca Story, Strategic Lead, West Cheshire Food Partnership, said:” We are a collaborative network of organisations and individuals from across the whole of the food system in west Cheshire and it’s great to have the University engaged in our work. Lived experience and local voices are integral to the work we do and this is a great example of this.”

Seóna Dunne, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Health, said: “Helen’s work highlights the real-world impact of academic research and its value in supporting evidence-based decision-making.”

Caption: Helen Dunning.