There is evidence to show 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. It’s just as important to make sure the lunchbox your child takes to school provide a healthy, balanced lunch as when they eat at home.
SCHOOL MEALS
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are all provided with a UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEAL. You can of course choose not to take up this offer and instead provide a packed lunch for your child. (Please see the packed lunch information).
Year 3, 4, 5 and 6
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There is a charge of £2.80 per day for children in Year 3 – Year 6 who wish to continue with School Meals.
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Children who qualify to receive free school meals will still continue to do so.
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If you are unsure about your eligibility to claim FREE SCHOOL MEALS please call the school office who will advise.
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Dinners should always be paid for in advance and not in arrears
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Payment can be weekly, half termly or termly in advance. If your child is absent from school, and you have informed school, then the dinner can be cancelled and there will be no charge for that day(s).
So what are the benefits of enjoying a hot school meal every day?
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All menus are nutritionally balanced and conform to the government’s national nutritional guidelines.
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Children can sit down together and enjoy their meal in the school hall, whilst at the same time developing those social skills of eating together that are so important in later life.
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A well-fed and happy child is more likely to be receptive to participating in the afternoon’s activities.
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A hot school meal prepared every day your child, which saves you worrying about organising a packed lunch every day.
A Healthy Lunchbox
We would ask that if you send your child to school with a packed lunch that you involve your child in making the right healthy choices. We are delighted to see that the vast majority of lunchboxes are already packed with very healthy options which the children enjoy.
School Rules (Only two!)
No Sweets – If lunchtime supervisors see sweets in lunchboxes they will remove them to be given back to you at the end of the day.
No Hot Foods – Soup, for example is not appropriate for the obvious health and safety reasons of possible burning.
Amount of food
Please do not send your child to school with too much food. A choice of food is not required; in some cases children try and eat it all!
Drinks
Water is available to all children in the hall so there is no requirement for you to pack a drink for your child, which can add up to a huge saving for you across the year. However, if you wish to pack an alternative drink to water, please make it a healthy option. No pop or fizzy drinks please.
Some suggestions for a healthy lunchbox (Perhaps not all at the same time!!)
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Sandwich/Wrap/Pasta
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Cubes of cheese/ Sticks of carrot, celery etc
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Fruit
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Yogurt
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Small packet of crisps (low salt, reduced fat options are best)
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Snack bar (a healthy option is good, but we don’t mind a small chocolate treat, kitkat for example – if you don’t!)
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Small piece of cake, bun, flapjack, jam tart for example