School Meals
Universal Infant Free School Meals initiative
From September 2014, all children in Reception – Year 2 are eligible to receive a Universal Infant Free School Meal. The Government made this decision because a good lunch makes an enormous difference to children’s health, development and ability to learn. It is also important that children develop good healthy eating habits to combat the rising problem of childhood obesity.
The Governors awarded the hot meals catering contract to Beech Catering who operate a 3 week rotation of menus throughout the year.
In order to opt-in to the Free School Meal initiative, you must submit the claim form, available from the office. Once you have opted-in a meal and returned the online form, a meal will be cooked for your child every day - free of charge!
Beech Catering
Everything we serve our children is freshly prepared using fresh ingredients cooked to a very high standard. The Key Stage 1 Free School Meal initiative has created some interesting challenges to work around, but working together with Beech Catering, we are continuing to deliver the same standard of home-cooked food for the children.
Ordering from the Menu
The menu covers 3 weeks of meal choices. Meals can be booked on ParentMail.
Key Stage 2 Free School Meals
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, then you may qualify for a Free School Meal for a child in Key Stage 2. If you think you might be eligible, then please speak to a member of staff, because eligibility attracts not only a Free School Meal everyday, but also Pupil Premium Funding - which is worth over £1000 to the school for the next 6 years of your child's education. This additional money can be massively helpful in ensuring your child makes good educational progress during their time with us.
Key Stage 2 Meals
Of course, you may decide that the food is just so good, you want your child to be fed at school anyway. In this case you simply need to complete a menu, for the days your child requires a meal. Payment is accepted via ParentMail.
Payments for school lunches are made directly to our catering company - Beech Catering.
Free School Meals
All children in FS, Year 1 and year 2 are entitled to receive a free school meal.
In addition, children are entitled to free school meals if their families are in receipt of any of the following:
- Income Support (IS)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) – not Contribution related
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (IBJSA) – not Contribution based
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit with an annual taxable income (as assessed by HMRC) of less than £16,190 as long as the family are NOT also in receipt of Working Tax Credit.
If you have recently become unemployed, but are still receiving Working Tax Credits, you may be entitled to free school meals.
Application forms for free school meals are available from the School Office or via the link below.
How to Apply for Free School Meals:
Free School Meals Form