All food in schools must meet nutritional standards so that children have healthy, balanced diets.
You may be entitled to
free school meals if you're on a low income.
Benefits of good food at school
There is evidence that food eaten by young people at school affects their behaviour and ability to learn. By committing to a regular school meal you can be sure your child is eating well at lunchtime. So what are the benefits of enjoying a school lunch?
- All menus are nutritionally balanced and conform to the government's national nutritional guidelines.
- Children can sit down together and enjoy their meal, whilst at the same time developing those social skills of eating together that are so important in later life.
- A well-fed and happy child is more likely to be receptive to participating in the afternoon's activities.
- Someone else prepares and cooks lunch for your child, which saves you worrying about a packed meal every day.
Free school meals for Key Stage 1
You may be aware that all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal.
Should you choose to take up this entitlement, your child will receive a two-course meal of either: a meat or vegetarian hot meal, or packed lunch, or a jacket potato and salad, or a sandwich with salad/veg plus a dessert.
Children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6
do not qualify. 2-course meals will still be available to free school meal children in these year groups, and other children at a price set by your school.
Primary school menus
Each school's menu will differ depending on the needs of the children and many offer halal choices. Below is a small selection of the meals that Facilities Management offer to pupils.
| | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|
|
Autumn/Winter | Chicken pie
Vegetable pizza
Smiles
Peas
Wellington fudge cake | Lamb Rogan Josh
rice/pitta bread
Salmon fish pie
Carrots
Jelly and fruit | Roast beef penne arrabiata and crusty bread
Roast potatoes
Broccoli, green beans peas
Cornflake tart | Cottage pie and red cabbage
Ravioli
Wholemeal garlic
bread
Rice pudding
Fruit | Vegetable tikka swirl
Fish fingers
Mashed potatoes
Beans
Chocolate banana muffin |
|
Spring/Summer | Chicken fajita tacos
Vegetable quiche
Jacket wedges
Vegetables
Syrup sponge | Meatballs in tomato sauce and rice
Salmon salt and vinegar fillet
Pommes noisettes
Garden peas
Orange and cinnamon muffin | Chicken tikka mayo or sweet chilli chicken wrap
Ratatouille pasta bake with garlic bread
Side salad/seasoned wedges
Trifle | Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding
Pizza puff
Mashed potatoes
Carrot/cabbage
Summer fruit crumble | Savoury mince hash
Fish fingers
Oven chips
Mushy peas
Chocolate fudge pudding |
Served daily
Filled baked potatoes, salad bar, sandwiches, wholemeal bread basket, fresh fruit, yoghurt milk and biscuit.
Healthy packed lunches
Not every child eats a school meal and many prefer to bring a packed lunch. If you're preparing a packed lunch, we would ask that you please take care with what goes into it.
Sample packed lunch
We can provide a packed lunch for your child consisting of 5 items which will vary depending on the school. Lunches include: a sandwich, drink, fruit, yoghurt, cake and biscuit.
Below is a helpful checklist for a healthy packed lunch:
- A good portion of starchy food, for example thick wholemeal bread, malt loaf, chapatti, pitta pocket, pasta or rice salad.
- 2 portions of fruit and vegetables, for example, fruit chunks in natural juice or small box of raisins.
- A portion of milk or dairy food for example, individual cheese portion or pot of yoghurt.
- A portion of lean meat, fish or alternative, such as ham, chicken, beef, tuna, egg, hummus, bean or lentil salad.
- A drink, for example fruit juice, milk or plain water (still or fizzy).