United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) articles supported:

Information regarding school meals and packed lunches

All our school meals are freshly prepared on site in our own kitchen, ensuring healthy, balanced and delicious options every day.

School dinners are available to all pupils who would like them. Some children may receive free school meals, while others may need to pay for their meals. We aim to make sure every child enjoys a nutritious lunch in a welcoming environment.

Children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 will automatically receive a free school meal as part of a government initiative.
Children in other year groups will either be eligible for free school meals or will need to pay for their meals via ParentMail.

A school meal costs £2.80 per day which is £14.00 per week.

Sometimes parents choose to provide a packed lunch instead of a school meal. Packed lunches should be healthy and brought to school in a clearly named lunch box.

If you would like to change from a packed lunch to a school meal, please inform the school office, as this affects our food orders.

Because food is ordered in advance, if you wish to change from school meals to packed lunches, we kindly ask for

two weeks notice to update your child’s meal arrangements.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact the school office, we’re always happy to help.

Please see below new ideas for healthy lunchbox alternatives:

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/food-facts/healthier-food-swaps/

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/

What should and shouldn't be in a school packed lunch?

Food and drink in packed lunches:

• The school will provide facilities for pupils bringing in packed lunches and ensure that free, fresh drinking water is readily available at all times.
• The school will work with the pupils to provide attractive and appropriate dining room arrangements
• The school will work with parents to ensure that packed lunches abide by the standards listed below.
• As fridge space is not available in school, pupils are advised to bring packed lunches in insulated bags with freezer blocks where possible to stop the food going off.

Packed lunches should include:

• at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day.
• meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus and falafel) every day
• oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks.
• a starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day.
• dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard everyday
• only water, still or sparkling, fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yoghurt or milk drinks and smoothies.

Packed lunches should avoid:

• snacks such as crisps. Instead, include seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat).  Savoury crackers or breadsticks served with fruit, vegetables or dairy food are also a good choice.
• confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets. Cakes and biscuits are allowed but encourage your child to eat these only as part of a balanced meal.
• Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages / chipolatas should be included only occasionally.

Special diets and allergies

Be aware of nut allergies. We recommend you visit the www.uhs.nhs.uk  website for accurate, reliable information on managing allergies in schools. 

The school also recognises that some pupils may require special diets that do not allow for the standards to be met exactly.

In this case parents are urged to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible.

For these reasons pupils are also not permitted to swap food items.