“Before this, I thought healthy eating was too complex and expensive. But learning how to cook simple, nutritious meals makes me feel empowered. It’s not just about food; it’s about making smarter choices that benefit me academically and personally.”

- Adaeze, Sixth Form student, London Academy of Excellence*

Fuel for thought

Transforming student performance through nutrition

In recent years, the eating habits, physical and mental health, and nutritional status of Sixth Form students in the UK have become increasingly concerning.
For instance, many consume significantly less than the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables, with only about 10% meeting the '5-a-day' guideline.

When the London Academy of Excellence decided to weave nutrition education into their curriculum, they were not aiming to just another subject. The goal was to change the future of their students by building sustainable health behaviours through knowledge.

The idea was simple yet effective: When a student is shown tools to directly influence their school performance, mood and cognitive function, students have a direct interest in learning more about these tools.

This case study explores our work to date with the London Academy of Excellence (LAE). Find out how we helped to turn a cohort of inspiring smart students with big plans for their future into nutrition champions ready to tackle new challenges.

The brain is the hungriest organ in the body, it demands more nutrients than any other organ.

The inception of this programme was rooted in the understanding that optimal brain function relies significantly on proper nutrition. Faced with the challenge of daily learning, students were therefore introduced into how to harness the potential of nutrition to boost their academic performance.

There is a growing prevalence of obesity in this age group, with associated health conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension becoming more common in young adults.

Key brain health nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iron and vitamin D are common deficiencies in our youngest generations, which directly act as a catalyst to the increasing rates of low mood and mental health disorders in young adults.

Only about 10% of adolescents meet the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Instead, the amount of ultra-processed foods is rising to nearly 65%.

Fuelling the needs of our younger generations

A unique food education programme for the London Academy of Excellence 

Located in the heart of Stratford, the London Academy of Excellence (LAE) has distinguished itself as a beacon of academic ambition, previously heralded as the "Eton of the East End." This state sixth form school is committed to the social mobility of disadvantaged students from East London, providing a rigorous educational environment.

Celebrated for its exceptional success rates, particularly in directing a significant number of its pupils towards prestigious medical schools across the UK, LAE prides itself on opening professional pathways that are often less accessible to its community. This commitment is supported by dedicated programs designed to assist students with work experience placements, interview preparation, and personal statement writing, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers in highly regarded fields such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. Additionally, LAE has a proactive approach to student well-being, focused on nurturing healthy habits, behaviours, and resilience among students, many of whom face considerable challenges outside of school.

In collaboration with the team at the London Academy of Excellence, we developed a personalised approach that specifically targets the interests and learning styles of the students.

Picture this: nearly four hundred students logging into the virtual classroom, which is buzzing with the usual chatter before a lesson.

The first session was a vibrant discussion on how food fuels the brain, peppered with quizzes and real-life scenarios that got everyone thinking about what’s on their daily plates. The virtual classroom environment brought together students from various backgrounds, each eager to learn how dietary choices could enhance their cognitive abilities and academic performance.

The real fun began in the second session when the classrooms turned into interactive group spaces. Students rolled up their sleeves and grouped into teams, ready to take on the challenge of meal planning and cooking within a budget. Beyond the laughs and spills, there were valuable lessons in every slice and dice and a real transformation from theory to practice could be observed.

However, keeping everyone engaged and ensuring the lessons stuck required more than just initial enthusiasm.

The solution

More interaction and a pinch of competition. Students thrived on small group dynamics, where they could cheer and learn from each other’s successes and “light bulb” moments.

Student spotlight

The real success of this programme can be showcased by the students' newfound respect for food and its impact on their minds and bodies. Many also felt empowered that they can do something meaningful everyday to help their concentration and performance and relieve stress.

  • "I never thought about how making a simple meal could change the way I feel and study. Now, I’m all about swapping snacks for something nutritious, and honestly, it feels great!"*

    Jamie, Student

  • “We are making a lot of use of the TTN resources. The students enjoy the content and discussion, i.e., we looked together at the Greggs nutrition guide together which was quite an eye opener.“*

    Sarah, Deputy Head

  • "Watching our students take these lessons to heart and actually apply them at home has been the real win. They’re learning to change their daily habits, and that’s what really matters."*

    Natalie, Tutor

  • “Before this, I thought healthy eating was impossible or at least really complicated and expensive. But I learned about making smarter choices that benefit me academically, physically, and mentally.”*

    Emily, Student

  • "We have used the momentum of the Think Through Nutrition sessions to introduce a salad bar as well as Friday fresh fish option so more choice in the school lunches, as well as more work to keep doing."*

    Sarah, Deputy Head

What started as a simple idea at London Academy of Excellence has turned into a blueprint for how nutrition can play a crucial role in education.

As LAE continues to build on this programme, our hope is to inspire other schools to start similar journeys, proving that when it comes to learning and living well, it really does start with what you eat. The success of personalised nutrition interventions for different cohorts has repeatedly been proven through our work and we will work towards inspiring even more cohorts of people in the future.

Looking ahead

“At the core of our mission is the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, both academically and personally. The success of our nutrition programme at London Academy of Excellence is a testament to this.  We are not just feeding bodies; we are nurturing minds and futures and hope to inspire others to join us in making nutrition a priority in education.”

— Tahani Saridar, CEO, Think Through Nutrition

Contact us for more information.

* To protect the privacy of the individuals that have provided testimonials to this case study, their names and identifying details have been changed.