Food and Drink
Dinners
Children can choose to have a school dinner, bring a packed lunch or go home to dinner. School meals are cooked on the premises and are available at a cost of £2.00 per day unless you are eligible for free school meals. Reception and KS1 children are also entitled to a free school dinner under the Universal Infant Free School Meal Programme. From April 2016 all payments for school meals must be made online at www.payyourschool.co.uk – payment must be made in advance by the Monday of the week in which meals are to be consumed, but parents can pay monthly or termly if they prefer. If your child is absent, the credit will be carried forward. Failure to pay for school dinners may result in your child being asked to bring a packed lunch or go home for dinner. Children bringing a packed lunch may bring a non-fizzy drink in a suitable, water tight, non-breakable container. Applications for free school meals and further information can be obtained from the school office.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS – HOW TO APPLY
Parents and carers can now apply for free school meals online via the Citizen Portal, using the link below. Your eligibility will be checked online, and the portal will let you know whether your child is eligible for free school meals. If your child is eligible you will receive a confirmation message, and the school will be notified directly. If you are not eligible you will be presented with a message stating this.
Please note, if you have already completed a primary or secondary school place application for the 2017/18 academic year via the portal, you do not need to re‑register when applying for free school meals. Please use the login details that you have already set up.
Milk
All children under 5 years old receive free school milk. The school operates a milk scheme for all other children in conjunction with School Milk Services Ltd. Order forms are available from the school office, and payment made directly to the dairy. Please order milk well in advance of the school term as it takes at least 2 weeks for the dairy to process the orders and payments.
Fruit
Under the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, all Infant children are given a piece of fruit every day. Key Stage 2 children are welcome to bring fresh fruit to school. Julie, the school cook, also runs a tuck shop at break times where the children can purchase toast.
Free School Meals
The Government gives money to schools to help children from lower income families—this is called a ’Pupil Premium’. As of April this year you may be eligible for help if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit during the four week-period immediately after employment finishes or after you start to work less than 16 hours per week.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can a parent claim FSMs for their children if they are not living in the same house as their children?If the parents are living in separate houses, the parent who is in receipt of the eligible benefit can claim free school meals, even if the child is living with the other parent.
- If a foster parent can claim Child Tax Credit for a fostered child are they entitled to claim FSM?In the case of foster children, either of their natural parents or either of their foster parents could make a claim for free school meals if they were in receipt of an eligible benefit.
Please do claim as it helps the school with additional funding if you do. To apply for free school meals, you can telephone South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 868008 or alternatively visit the South Gloucestershire Council website (www.southglos.gov.uk) for an application form. Application forms are also available in the information rack in the school foyer.
Nutrition Information