Selecting the Local Authority

The goal of a case study is to generate theory by identifying factors and processes that are poorly understood and as such, a case study methodology is an inductive process in which foreshadowed problems are refined as the study proceeds (Creswell 1998; Sullivan 2002). In case studies, the richness of the phenomenon and the extensiveness of the real life context require case study investigators to deal with a technically distinctive situation; an essential tactic is to use multiple sources of evidence so that data will converge in a triangulating fashion (Yin 2009).

The need for in-depth investigation within case study methodology means that the sample size will be much too small to warrant random selection. As a result, the case from which the most can be learnt will be chosen, an atypical case, chosen for its explanatory power rather than its typicality (J Clyde Mitchell 1983; Stake 2005). In order to select an atypical case, a priori theoretical framing is used to justify sampling choice (Tavory and Timmermans 2009).

It is noted that the introduction of devolved powers across the UK has had an impact on the development of free school meal policy and as a result, the free school meal policy background varies across the UK territories. This study will compare the policy context within Wales to other UK territories. In terms of free school meal take up, the evidence indicates that in England there is variation at the local authority level (Iniesta-Martinez and Evans 2012) and analysis of local authorities in Wales reflects these trends as variation in levels of take up is evident across Welsh local authorities.

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Figure 2: Percentage Average Free School Meal uptake in Secondary Schools by Welsh Local Authority

(Murtagh 2011).

Research outlined in Chapter 3 highlights a number of factors in place at the local authority level proven to be influential to registration and uptake of free school meals. These factors include the overall level of entitlement, ease of registration, free school meal allowance, food on offer and the payment methods in operation. Based on these criteria, information on local authorities in Wales was gathered including the range of the level of free school meal entitlement and uptake, catering and school food provision and payment methods.

Contact was made with each Local Authority in Wales and a follow up email, requesting information was sent, additional information was gathered from websites and statistics provided by Welsh Government and using this information, one local authority was selected which reflected the range of criteria sought.

Within the selected Local Authority, secondary schools demonstrated a range in terms of levels of free school meal uptake and entitlement. In the schools within the Local Authority (1-8), school meal entitlement ranged

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between 3%-42% (average 20%) of the school population and uptake 16%- 100% (average 61%) of those entitled (Murtagh 2011).

Figure 3 - Percentage of Pupils Entitled to Free Meals in Secondary Schools within the selected Local Authority.

(Murtagh 2011).

Figure 4 - Percentage of Pupils taking Free Meals within Secondary Schools within the selected Local Authority on Census day 2010.

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In terms of the catering contract, the selected Local Authority was undergoing significant change since the catering contract was moving from local authority control to the private sector during the period of study. All catering provision was expected to follow the Appetite for Life guidelines outlined by the Welsh Government however this was common across all local authorities in Wales (Welsh Assembly Government 2006 ). In terms of payment methods, it was evident from the responses from schools that a mixture of payment methods, both cards and cash was in place across the Local Authority. In this way this Local Authority fulfilled all of the selection criteria outlined. A letter was sent to the Education Officer requesting cooperation and permission to contact schools within the Local Authority.

5.2.1. Selecting Four Secondary Schools

In terms of a focus on the primary or secondary school sector, the decision to focus on secondary schools was underpinned by the literature which indicates that secondary school pupils will be more likely to be exposed to a wider range of influential factors than primary school pupils. These factors include changes to school food provision, the ability to access food from offsite sources and the increasing desire for independence and autonomy which accompanies adolescence (Valentine 2003).

Changing school meal policy in the 1980s resulted in the introduction of a cafeteria system in the majority of secondary schools; this system was characterised by free choice and the pupil, as the consumer, was able to influence the food provided. Despite the recent reintroduction of minimum nutritional standards and a degree of choice control, a canteen style provision persists in secondary schools where pupils are able to select from a range of items, individually priced. This is compared to a set meal, set price system in operation in primary schools (Gustafsson 2002, 2004; Morgan 2006).

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A second key factor distinguishing secondary from primary school food provision is the ability of secondary school pupils to access food offsite at lunchtime from shops and other outlets. Evidence indicates that such outlets provide pupils with a much wider range of foods than school provision (Sinclair and Walker 2008; Ellaway et al. 2012) and as a consequence the evidence indicates that the ability of pupils to access these offsite outlets has significant implications for the take up of school food (Welsh Assembly Government 2010).

Finally, evidence indicates that, as children become adolescents they increasingly purchase and consume food away from home and as a result, the influence of home diminishes, replaced by peer pressure and the desire for conformity and acceptance (Bassett et al. 2008). Focussing on the secondary school environment allows this research to explore the increasingly complex influences which occur within this age range.

The criteria for selection of the secondary school sample included the overall percentage levels of entitlement and uptake of free school meals, catering provision, payment methods and off site policy. The range of free school meal eligibility and uptake was a factor in the selection at the local authority level and these statistics were also used to select the individual schools.

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Figure 5: Range of Free School Meal Entitlement and Take up by Secondary Schools within the Selected Local Authority

(Murtagh 2011).

Statistics regarding levels of entitlement and uptake of free school meals at the school level are collected by the Welsh Government annually. In the selected Local Authority, the average level of entitlement was 20% and the average level of uptake 61%. In order to generate a sample which represented all possible combinations in terms of levels of entitlement and uptake, the criteria for selection was to achieve a combination of entitlement and uptake which were higher and lower than the local authority average, with each represented.

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Table 1: Free School Meal Entitlement and Uptake Levels

School % FSM Entitlement % FSM Take Up

1 Lower than LA average Higher than LA average 2 Lower than LA average Lower than LA average 3 Higher than LA average Lower than LA average 4 Higher than LA average Higher than LA average

Each secondary school within the local authority was contacted so that the additional selection criteria (payment methods, catering provision and offsite policy) could be assessed and diversity could be achieved. Schools which met the selection criteria in terms of free school meal entitlement and uptake, as well as demonstrated diversity in terms of payment methods, catering provision and offsite policy were selected. Four schools were contacted, two schools declined to participate so two replacement schools were contacted and agreed to participate in the research. Each school was given a pseudonym.