School Meals                                   

Children in Classes R, 1 and 2 are entitled to a cooked school lunch every day courtesy of Government funding – this scheme is called ‘Universal Infant Free School Meals’.  

For children in Classes 3, 4, 5 and 6 the cost of a healthy, cooked school meal is £2.50.

Good food and good food culture has been shown to lead not only to healthier, happier and more fulfilled children, but to improved educational attainment.

We believe that the school lunchtime is a great opportunity for all our children to sit down together and enjoy their healthy and tasty meal, while developing their social skills. 

Our school meals are provided by Whole School Meals, and are cooked in our own school kitchens. Our cooks can cater for special dietary requirements, for religious reasons, allergies etc. Please contact our school office for more information.

 

Free School Meals

All schools receive additional Government funding into their budgets called Pupil Premium. This is based on the number of pupils who are in care, the number who are in military families and the number who are ENTITLED to free school meals. For every child entitled to free school meals we receive £1300.

If you are in receipt of any of the following benefits,  it is crucial that you register your child on the Kent County Council online application service for free school meals.

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run on –paid 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1^st April 2018 your household income must be less than £7400.00 a year (after tax and including any benefits you get).

You can apply by following this link to the Kent County Council's website

Packed Lunch

If you would prefer your child to bring a packed lunch, then please ensure it is enclosed in a suitable, named container.  No glass bottles, can, sweets or nuts please.  The Children’s Food Trust www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk has some good packed lunch ideas.

Other Food and Drink in School

Children in Class R and Key Stage 1 are provided with a government funded piece of fruit or vegetable for their mid-morning snack. This is to encourage the habit of healthy eating. Children in Key Stage 2 may bring a fresh fruit or vegetable snack for their mid-morning break.

 

Children are entitled to a portion of free milk until their 5^th birthday – please register with Cool Milk to claim your child’s entitlement. Following their fifth birthday you can pay for this to continue.

 

Water Bottles

Hydration during the day is very important and all children are required to bring a water bottle to school every day with fresh water from home. This bottle must contain just plain water and will be accessible throughout the day, please ensure it is clearly labelled with your child’s name.  

Children may bring an additional drink to school to have at lunchtime if they wish; this may be juice or squash. This second bottle should be put on the lunch trolley/shelf with the packed lunch boxes at morning registration and the content consumed at lunchtime. This is applicable for children who have packed lunches AND hot school meals.

Thank you for your support with this matter.

Play!

We have a number of dedicated playleaders who encourage active play during our lunchtimes.  They will initiate games and put out varied play equipment to make playtimes engaging , healthy and enjoyable.