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It’s no secret that the UK is a melting pot made up of diverse cultures, religions, customs and traditions – and this is something to be celebrated.
Religious festivals and events offer the perfect time to assess how the needs of these different groups are being catered for, if at all, and schools are a great place to start.
For many cultures, meals are about more than just food – they’re linked to beliefs, identity and tradition. As millions of Muslims across the globe prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan, schools should be considering the importance of catering to the food requirements of this group, not just now, but all year round.
According to the Muslim Council of Britain Census Report Summary March 2025, there are around four million Muslims in the UK and roughly 10 per cent of all school age children practice the Islamic faith. This is a significant proportion of the population and isn’t something to be overlooked.
All young people deserve access to the foods and mealtime practices that are in line with their cultural or religious beliefs throughout the school day. Developing an inclusive, respectful and open-minded school environment benefits everyone, and it starts with providing the right support and understanding.
An environment of learning
It goes without saying that schools are places of education. But learning about cultural and religious requirements needs to go beyond teaching children – teachers and catering staff need to get up to speed too.
Diverse cultures and religions should not only be respected in schools, but celebrated, and this provides an opportunity for learning and development for pupils and staff alike. In many multi-faith schools, children share a classroom, friendship and bonding experiences, yet know very little about the backgrounds and customs of their peers.
Equally, staff can only offer a high standard of support and care when they truly understand their students and their needs. This is about more than token gestures but instead adopting a culture of learning and development throughout the school system.
Food is an accessible way to learn about cultural and religious requirements, and holding workshops, cooking lessons, interactive sessions or talks with those from local groups and communities are engaging methods to help students and staff understand diversity.
The details matter
When catering for cultural and religious food requirements, the details matter. Caterers that take the time and effort to properly understand these needs are far more likely to keep pupils and parents happy, and this doesn’t need to be complex.
For instance, those who follow the Islamic faith eat halal meat which is slaughtered in a specific way and blessed during the process. Stats from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board [AHDB] and Nielsen IQ estimate that £823 million was spent on halal meat alone in 2023, and it’s easily accessible for caterers across the country.
This is where building relationships with local suppliers is key and is well worth the effort to meet student needs.
It’s also worth noting that some foods are forbidden in certain religions and cultures, for instance pork and any products obtained from pigs [such as gelatine] cannot be consumed in the Muslim faith. Ensuring school menus cater to this and offer appropriate alternatives is crucial. Every child deserves to feel included and cared for, and ensuring they can eat the food on their plate is a basic requirement.
What about fasting?
Throughout the month of Ramadan many Muslims choose to fast as an act of worship that is spiritually, morally and socially significant, as noted by the Islamic Society of Britain.While young children are not required to participate, those children who have reached fasting age do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset – in other words, during school hours.
This can be a challenge for young people, particularly those who are new to the practice of fasting, and schools need to do all they can to support those who are participating. A lack of food and drink can impact concentration and focus, and can also cause headaches, mood swings and sleepiness.
School staff must be sensitive to the impact fasting can have on academic performance and students’ ability to participate fully in all activities, such as sports, and make adjustments where needed.
Supporting students to participate in their religious customs and traditions alongside their studies can make all the difference to their wellbeing and sense of belonging – something every school should be striving for.
Space for everyone
Meeting the cultural and religious food requirements of students in schools is vital for creating an inclusive environment, but it’s also an opportunity for learning, growth and development.
Embracing different cultures and traditions is valuable for students and staff alike, and when religious needs are catered for, everyone benefits.
Whether it’s providing more education about different cultures, designing appropriate school menus, or supporting those who are observing religious practices such as fasting, schools can take simple steps to embrace the cultural and religious food requirements that make our communities so vibrant.
Stephanie Spratt is founder and CEO of education catering specialist, Olive Dining
Itinerary: The Mediterranean aha Forum, in Partnership with VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings
