SCHOOL MEALS
We work in partnership with the Sunderland School Meals Consortium and have a designated kitchen area within school. The Consortium provide a wide range of healthy choices, and there is always fresh fruit available to supplement the daily meal. The meals are produced on a three-week cycle, and the weekly menu is available for parents to look at online by clicking this link MENU 2024/25
Food is nutritious, balanced, and caters for all dietary needs; there are daily vegetarian options and menus can be modified for diabetic/coeliac children or where other food intolerances have been identified. Contact the School Office in the first instance for further advice in this area.
The menu standards have been recognised by the Soil Association of the United Kingdom, giving quality assurance that the food we serve has been produced ethically, sustainably and meets the highest quality marks. The kitchen also has a Public Health food hygiene rating of five stars.
PAYING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
We no longer accept cash or cheque payments for school-based fees and therefore ask parents who pay for school meals to do so through ParentPay. If you have not yet registered for ParentPay please contact the school office for an activation code. To access ParentPay please click here.
We currently insist meals are paid for in advance, on or before the Monday of any week. You may ‘pre-pay’ for the term or half term if you prefer. School meals cost £2.50 per day (£12.50 per week).
Arrears are NOT permitted. If dinner money is not received in a timely manner, parents will be contacted to discuss payment, and if necessary alternative lunch arrangements will be advised.
ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS
All children in Reception, Year1 and Year2 are eligible for Universal Free School Meals, regardless of family income of background.
Universal Free School Meals entitlement ends at Year 3, but some families will also be eligible to receive free school meals whilst their child is at school. There are certain criteria which must be met before entitlement is granted, such as receiving qualifying benefit, for more information on eligibility please click here. Parents may apply for free school meals online via the Parent Portal online application system, please click here
If you are eligible but would prefer your child not to have a school meal, we would urge you to still complete the application. Schools receive funding based on the numbers of Free School Meal places, which directly impacts on the service we can deliver.
PACKED LUNCHES
If you do not require a cooked school meal for your child and would prefer them to bring a home-prepared packed lunch to school, please note the following procedures and general information:
Food and Drink in Packed Lunches
Please try to include each day:
at least one portion of fruit and/or vegetables
a starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, cous cous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereal
dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard,
still water, fruit juice, milk, yoghurt, or smoothies
We would prefer if you didn’t include:
confectionery such as chocolate bars and sweets. A cake or biscuit is allowed but please try to encourage your child to eat these only as part of a balanced meal.
Please note - there are children in school with food allergies, the most common of which is intolerance to nuts. We would appreciate it if, in consideration of those children you do not put nuts or nut products in your child’s packed lunch. Even traces of nut oil on a person’s hands can have a severe effect on anyone with an allergy of this nature. To remove the risk, we would request children do not bring nuts of any variety into school.
WATER BOTTLES
It is important everyone drinks plenty of water. Children are encouraged to bring non-flavoured, non- sparkling water in a labelled unbreakable bottle. We request that parents take this home to be washed and refilled as we have no facilities for cleaning bottles at school. However, there are taps available in every classroom and water fountains in corridors.
Under no circumstances should children be bringing anything other than water in their water bottles to drink throughout the day.
FRUIT SCHEME
The school takes part in the Government’s ‘Healthy Schools’ initiative. Under this scheme children in Nursery, Reception and KS1 will be provided, with a piece of fruit or vegetable for their mid-morning snack free of charge.
For more information on what is provided please click here.
WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
Please ensure you do not send sweets into school in packed lunches or for break times.
Fruit and healthy snacks that are low in sugar are suitable for break time.
Encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school daily (with water only).