The Big Lunch for schools
Schools are the perfect place to host a Big Lunch - and holding one can help you strengthen your school community and achieve some of your targets.
Why hold a Big Lunch in your school?
The Big Lunch can be linked to many aspects of the curriculum and it is a fantastic way to bring pupils, parents and the wider school community together. There’s nothing like some food and fun to help forge connections and build friendships. Plus, lots of schools and organisations use The Big Lunch as a fundraiser and a whopping £100m has been raised at Big Lunches since 2015!
We know that schools are busy places, run by busy people, but The Big Lunch doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Below are some tips to make organising an event as easy as possible for you.
“This was a truly wonderful day, which brought our school community together.”
Deborah, Inglewood Community Nursery and Infant School Big Lunch
Top tips for holding a Big Lunch at your school
1. Planning
Form a Big Lunch planning group and work with your schoolchildren to make the day a big success. Have your class list what they think makes a good party and everything they would need to organise one. You could encourage them to ask people of all ages about their favourite parties, what they did, what they ate and why it was so much fun.
Don’t forget to sign up to get your free pack to get started, and it includes free handy resources such as invites and posters. The resources are undated, so you can join in and hold your event whenever is best for your school community!
Top tips for a last minute Big Lunch
2. Seek support
If you work in a school, or are part of the PTA, you will likely be no stranger to seeking support with your activities and events. As well as rallying parents and colleagues to help organise or promote your Big Lunch, check out these funding sources:
- Tesco Bags of Help scheme – awards grants for projects that help the community, including hosting community events
- The National Lottery Community Fund – funds organisations with ideas that bring more people together and build strong relationships in and across communities
3. Food
The Big Lunch is about the simple act of coming together over food. If pupils bring in their own packed lunch, why not encourage them to bring in something special, like a dish they made themselves or a favourite family recipe and make it a talking point?
If your school provides lunch for your students, focus on how you can make it more social. Perhaps you could encourage different age groups to sit together or work as a school to grow something for your Big Lunch – salad leaves grow quickly and may even grow back after you have picked some. You could also tie The Big Lunch into your teaching on healthy eating, where food comes from, or how to prepare and cook food.
If the weather is good, get your pupils outside for a Big Lunch picnic for a nice change.
4. Fundraise
Since 2015, over £100m has been raised for good causes at Big Lunch events. How incredible is that!
As a charity, our mission is to demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet.
By fundraising for the Eden Project, you will help us continue our work in taking positive action for people and planet. Your school will help us bring nature back, build stronger communities and create a more sustainable future.
We’ve come up with some inspired ideas to get your fundraising on its way – from dog shows to quizzes, and cake stalls to scavenger hunts, there is something here for everyone!
Set up your fundraising page on Superkind
5. Activities and teaching resources
We’ve put together some teaching resources to help you incorporate The Big Lunch into your lessons.
We’ve also got a great range of activities and ideas for the day.
To include your wider community in The Big Lunch, why not see if there are any local artists, performers or story-tellers that you can invite to take part and provide some entertainment or activities as part of your day?
The Big Lunch lesson: bring the Eden Project rainforest to your classroom
An interactive and lively lesson for Key Stages 1 & 2, curriculum…
Free teaching resources
Working with children? We have a great selection of resources for Key Stages 1 to…
Fundraising ideas
Easy and achievable fundraising ideas for your Big Lunch (or other event!).
Activities for your Big Lunch
These Big Lunch activities are perfect for groups and schools. They can…
Hold a greener Big Lunch
Top tips on upcycling, brilliant leftovers and community sharing.
Money saving tips for your event
Your Big Lunch doesn’t need to break the bank. Here are some…
6. Month of Community
You can hold your Big Lunch any time in June, which is the Month of Community. Or on any date that works for your school community – it’s the getting together that counts! The Month of Community is a time to come together to celebrate everything that makes our communities great.
Where next?
Free teaching resources
Working with children? We have a great selection of resources for Key Stages 1 to…
Activities for your Big Lunch
These Big Lunch activities are perfect for groups and schools. They can…
The Big Lunch
Join millions to share friendship, food and fun with a Big Lunch!
Month of Community
Come together to celebrate what makes our communities great