Join Bite Back in Schools
A fully funded programme for your school empowering learners to improve their school food experience.
Have you ever thought that a learner’s wellbeing might be connected to the food they have access to at school? Want to make a difference for your pupils?
If the answer’s yes, we have a free opportunity for your school!
The fully funded Bite Back in Schools Programme empowers learners to work towards a school food experience that gives them the fuel they need to succeed. They will have the opportunity to learn vital skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and planning projects that have a positive impact.
By taking part, learners will be doing something that supports the Curriculum for Excellence’s Health and Wellbeing focus. They'll also be standing up for their rights under the UNCRC, including the right to nutritious food, good health, and having their voices heard.
Every single child deserves access to healthy, nutritious food at school. By joining Bite Back in Schools, you can help make this happen.
If you're a school in Scotland, apply now to start your Bite Back in Schools journey in January 2026. Hit the button below.
We're not currently accepting applications from schools in England, but you can register your interest in joining for 2026/27 through this page.
What is Bite Back in Schools?
- For S1-S4: Learners explore the food environment in their school and community.
- Skill-Building for your pupils: Research, communication, advocacy, and teamwork.
- Real Impact: youth-driven social action to improve their dining hall food and space.
- Flexible: Deliver 15 hours of content across the school terms in a way that works for your school.
- Tried and tested: Already delivered in 200 secondary schools in the UK.
Want to find out more? Click here to view our full Information Pack.
What you get
- Kick-off assembly delivered by an inspiring Bite Back ambassador.
- Ready-to-go high-quality resources and session plans.
- £1,000 grant to help you run the programme.
- Start-to-end support from the Bite Back team.
- Engaging physical resources for learners, including workbooks and badges.
FAQs
Is there a cost to the programme?
No, we are pleased to be able to offer Bite Back in Schools Programme fully-funded, thanks to support from the National Lottery.
Your school will also receive a £1,000 grant to help you run the programme.
Is this programme delivered during the school day?
The first half of this programme is delivered during the school day, the second half is usually delivered in an after-school club.
The kick-off assembly (20 mins) and the 5 whole year group sessions (45 mins each) are delivered during the school day in whatever way suits your school. Some schools split these across registration/tutor time, others deliver them as part of Health and Wellbeing curricular areas (e.g. during PSE or PE) or on an off-timetable day.
For example, in early October, all of S2 have an assembly in the main hall and then over the next 5 weeks, registration teachers in classrooms deliver the 5 sessions.
The remaining 15 hours of content is delivered to a small group of learners (School Food Champions) usually in an after-school or lunchtime club. This requires one teacher.
Total time during school day: 4 hours
Total time delivered after school: approximately 10 hours
What commitment to you need from schools?
- Time in the school day for a year group assembly delivered by Bite Back.
- Time in the school day (usually registration/tutor time, Health and Wellbeing or an off-timetable day) for 5 whole year group sessions delivered in classrooms by teachers.
- One teacher to run a lunchtime or after-school club for a smaller group of learners (School Food Champions).
- Willingness to listen to your pupils' ideas and make changes that put young people's health first.
How do you select schools?
We have a limited number of funded places for 2025/26, and can only offer the Bite Back in Schools Programme to 5 Scottish schools this year. To ensure we’re providing opportunities for change in the communities most impacted by health inequalities, we will prioritise applications from schools which meet the following demographic criteria:
- Above national average % of pupils receiving free school meals.
- Areas with high obesity rates.
- Local Authorities with the highest proportion of neighbourhoods in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods on the IMD 2019.
We use an external catering company, is that ok?
Yes, we have delivered this programme in over 200 schools with a range of catering set-ups, including in-house, trust-wide, LA catering and more.
We're a school in Scotland, can I apply?
Yes! This programme is available for schools in Scotland and we're taking applications now. Click here to apply.
We're a school in England, can I apply?
Applications for schools in England to join Bite Back in Schools have now closed. But you can register your interest to join for 2026/27 through this page.
Is this programme for secondary schools only?
Yes, this programme is only for secondary schools.
We are developing a primary offer, so stay tuned.
Do you have an information pack?
Yes! Click here to find our Bite Back in Schools Scotland information pack.
Can the programme be delivered in a range of contexts e.g. special schools or units for children with additional support needs (ASN)?
Yes! We have delivered this programme successfully in a range of contexts, including special schools and alternative provisions.
We welcome applications from schools who support a wide variety of learners and will work with schools to adapt the programme as needed so that their pupils can thrive on Bite Back in Schools.
Do you offer free resources?
Yes! As part of the programme, we will send you high-quality, engaging resources such as workbooks, stickers and badges. All are free of charge.
For more questions about the Bite Back in Schools Programme contact our friendly team at schoolfoodchampions@biteback2030.com.
Thanks to National Lottery players, Bite Back has received £3.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, to empower young people to improve their school food environment.