Table 3.

Factors to investigate during the exploratory research phase

Factors to investigate		Head teachers/other responsible party	Catering staff	Parents	Children – primary	Children – secondary
General areas and potential prompts
The food served	•Perceptions of quality •Preferences/tastes/what's cool to eat •Familiarity of dishes served •Being able to identify the food •Variety available •Presentation of food •Availability of alternatives •Aspirations/pride in what eating		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Eating experience	•Time allowed – choosing & eating •Process of ordering including queuing, adding up, paying •Positioning of food •Ambiance of dining hall •Seating arrangements •Dining hall staff/assistants •Payment method		✓	✓		✓	✓
The child themselves	•Understanding of healthy eating •Making healthy choices •Confidence trying new things/making choices •Being able to influence provision		✓	✓		✓	✓
Claiming FSM	•Awareness of FSM entitlement/process •System/process of claiming (ease of) •Perceptions over claiming •Stigma – themselves/child		✓	✓	✓		✓
Influence of peers	•Food choice •Where to eat •Teasing/bullying – stigma over claiming for FSM		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Influence of parents	•Decision over packed lunch or SM •Contents of packed lunch •Involvement in SM provision •Perceptions of SM		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Influence of staff – teachers & catering	•Modelling by teachers/staff •Perceptions of SM •Praise/reward		✓	✓		✓	✓
Promotional activities	•Awareness of FSM •Awareness of menu choices/point-of-choice materials •Taster sessions •Rewards •Events: themed days/parents invited to try •Advertising of SM •Media influence		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

FSM, free school meal; SM, school meal.