Lunchtimes are important for so many different reasons. Pupils need to eat, and to eat
well, particularly those who rely on free school meals. They can allow time for getting outside in
fresh air, and for running around or playing sport, benefitting both physical and mental health.
There may be various activities and clubs that pupils enjoy doing. Lunchtimes are an important
time for being with friends – and can provide a precious space to do this without mobile
phones dominating social interactions.
Then there are all the ways in which successful lunchtimes can impact the school. Crucially for
staff, what happens at lunchtime can impact the rest of the afternoon, for good or ill. On a
typical day, 60% of primary school teachers tell us they end up using lesson time to
resolve playground issues.
Lunchtimes are often difficult for schools. There are all sorts of challenges around finding
sufficient time, space, supervision and resources. 55% of teachers report behaviour in their
schools to be at its worst during lunchtimes (the next closest response is for transitions
between lessons, at 27%), and this is in a context where student behaviour has remained the
top cause of stress or worry to teachers for the past three years.
The Lunchtime Listen represents our attempt to help explore issues around lunchtimes in
schools, canvassing and examining views from teachers, leaders and pupils.
If you are interested to find out about running the Lunchtime Listen survey with pupils in your own school or Trust, please get in touch with the team at School Surveys by emailing hello@schoolsurveys.com . We would be delighted to show you around the portal and answer any questions you may have about running your own surveys with your staff, parents or pupils.
