Our family dining lunchtime initiative has resulted in a significant boost in attendance and major improvements in behaviour.
The scheme, which was introduced this term for Year 7 students, 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.”
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.
“Our Family Dining idea is a mammoth undertaking, but we believe that this will be transformational for the school’s culture and for the young people’s cultural capital.
“We see this as an opportunity to share family values at our traditional school, where we can boost youngsters’ oracy skills and confidence, as well as enjoying some quality and relaxed time together outside of the classroom.
“Family Dining has got off to a cracking start this term and I would like to thank all our scholars for embracing this initiative and to Michelle and her catering team for all their hard work in making this possible.”
Director of Secondary Education at Astrea Academy Trust, Richard Tutt, said: “Family Dining at Woodfields is inclusive: everyone has someone to sit with at lunch and no-one eats on their own, creating a real sense of belonging.
“It will also help build a culture of gratitude and kindness – congratulations to everyone at Woodfields for embracing this joyful experience so positively.”
Read more on the BBC New website or The Star website, or listen to school Principal Mr David Scales and pupils of Astrea Academy Woodfields talk about the initiative on BBC Sounds.
