School Meals
Free School Meals
Whilst all children in Reception Class, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to receive a free school meal under the Universal Free School Meal entitlement, parents / carers are strongly encouraged to also complete a free school meal application form (see downloads below) as each child eligible for a Free School Meal based upon parent / carer income attracts a “Pupil Premium” for the School which is provided by Central Government and equates to a cash amount for your child’s School. This is then used to support your child’s education through the provision of additional teachers, Teaching Assistant support and resources at the School.
If you have any queries, please contact the School Office. The office staff or Miss Fazackerley will be happy to discuss Pupil Premium with you and can help you complete an application form for Free School Meals.
If you get any of the following support payments your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of 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 for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
When you complete a Housing/Council Tax Benefit form, and meet the correct eligibility criteria, this automatically entitles your child(ren) to free school meals. Schools will be directly advised of this eligibility and your child(ren) will remain eligible for the period you are in receipt of the qualifying benefit.
For a small number of parents in receipt of Child Tax Credit, they will be required to complete a free school meal application form.
Please download the form and apply if you think, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, even if they usually have a Packed Lunch. https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/EducationandFamilies/Schools/FreeSchoolMeals.aspx
School Meals' Service
Edsential Lunches – from April 2024
From April 2024, our new school lunch provider will be Edsential.
The company are Cheshire-based and provide meals to a wide range of schools across the North West with lunches already https://edsential.com/catering/
As a sustainable company, Edsential are committed to reducing food waste, but increasing the choice to parents and children.
Our cost will be at the same new price of Halton’s at £2.90 per day.
All school meals MUST be booked in advance. This is to ensure that all portions are correctly sized and that children have the opportunity to enjoy the meal that they want. Very often, children not booking meals in advance impact on those who have and this is something we are looking to change.
For children in Reception and in Years 1 and 2, you will have to follow the same process to book on. Even though your child accesses UiFSM (Universal Infant Free School Meals), they must be booked on. You will not be charged for these choices as these meals remain free for infant children. The system will recognise this.
How do we book on?
HOW TO BOOK YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL LUNCH DIRECTLY
Have a look at the above video and it will show you how to book meals for children through our school gateway account.
Please see the school menus below – food has been chosen by the School Council and the School’s House and Sports Captains.
Parents / carers wishing for their children to eat their own packed lunch can do so; we do however ask that you provide a healthy packed lunch that does not contain sweets / chocolates or fizzy drinks, and that you also carefully consider the plastic packaging content. Children eating packed lunches eat together with those choosing to eat school dinners.
All payments and bookings for school dinners are to be made via:_____________________
Please make payments in multiples of daily amount of £2.90 i.e.
5 x £2.90= £14.50
10 x £2.90 = £29.00
Please make your booking and payment for meals required in advance of taking the meal as they are deducted from your balance on a daily basis. If you prefer you can pay per Half Term. Any meals not taken due to absence are credited back to the pupils account. If your account falls into arrears you will be sent a message asking you to pay for all meals taken and pay in advance for any further meals.