Family Style Dining Experience

After the Easter break, we are moving over to a family style dining approach at Lunchtimes

What is Family Style Dining:

Family-style dining for classes is a wonderful way to foster community, encourage responsibility, and create an enjoyable mealtime experience. It provides an opportunity for pupils and staff to share meals together in a communal setting. This initiative will hopefully promote social skills, teamwork, and respect for our communal spaces

How will it work?

• Each teacher will choose one week in a half term period where they will each lunch with their class
• Within that week, the class will vote for which day they would like family style dining e.g. Mrs S chooses Week Two of Summer term 1. The children choose Wednesday
• Children can either have a school dinner or a packed lunch but will all be sitting at the same table
• A member of SLT will always sit at the table and eat with the children as well

The Dining Experience:

• On designated family-style dining days, tables will be set up with tablecloths and flower arrangements
• Jugs of water or juice will be provided for pupils to pour their own drinks
• The class /es that are dining will go to lunch straightaway as will be taken to the dining hall by their class teacher.
• Staff will sit with the pupils at the table to create a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
• Staff will promote good table manners and encourage positive conversations.
• Pupils are expected to be respectful during meals, using polite conversation and following table manners.
• Everyone will stay seated at the table until all are finished.

Responsibilities:

• All students will take part in clearing off their plate
• Returning their plates and utensils
• Clearing and wiping down the tables

Feedback:
After each half term, gather feedback from pupils about their experience and what they enjoyed most or would like to change.
Encourage pupils to share their thoughts about the importance of family-style dining and what they learned about community and responsibility.