'Family dining' school scheme boosts attendance

The scheme sees students taking part in the lunchtime food service

A new "family dining" lunchtime initiative at a high school has resulted in a significant boost in attendance and major improvements in behaviour, the principal has said.

The scheme, which was introduced this term for Year 7 students at Astrea Academy Woodfields, in Doncaster, sees students help with the lunchtime food service and clean up.

Pupils also sit on tables in rotating groups in a bid to encourage inclusion and new friendships, with teachers dining alongside the students.

Principal David Scales said: "We want to teach them how to serve each other, how to be served food and how to enjoy good company and good conversation at the dining table."

'Really moving'

Each day, the school has a suggested topic to discuss over lunch and at the end of the meal, students are invited to stand and speak about someone that they appreciate in school.

Mr Scales said the scheme had resulted in a noticeable improvement in students' behaviour, with plans to extend the scheme to the rest of the school.

"We’re finding attendance is also much better," he added.

He said staff had also been enjoying getting to know their students outside of the classroom.

"This is something that’s really made staff emotional because you're seeing children coming together, celebrating each other and spending that time," Mr Scales said.

"It’s been really moving actually."

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