Gifted children 'can decide diet'

Jamie Oliver has been highly critical of school dinners

Most bright pupils think they should be allowed to choose what they eat rather than having their diet decided by schools, a survey suggests.

A poll of 770 children at the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth found 68.7% thought they should be responsible for what they eat.

All said they would choose healthy options over junk food.

The findings come as the government is setting its nutritional guidelines for school meals in England.

Chip vans

The changes follow a campaign by television chef Jamie Oliver to raise standards, including using more fresh ingredients.

Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has warned that over-strict guidelines might push children out of schools to fish and chip vans.

But one of the children interviewed for the academy survey said: "If I was given the choice, since I know the facts about how sleepy junk food can make you, I would rather eat the healthy choice.

"I would rather eat something that would keep you going for the rest of the day than something that gives you a quick burst."

Another said: "I totally disagree that it should depend on the school on what we eat. Realistically they're beginning to control what we eat, which is absurd."

The academy which runs residential summer schools and online courses, is open to the top-performing 5% of 11 to 19-year-olds in England.