School lunches

School lunches are prepared by Herts Catering Ltd (HCL) in the school kitchen and the emphasis is on good, nutritious food.

Dietary requirements

If your child has a special meal requirement due to allergens or dietary preferences, we will do our best to accommodate these, but it is very important that a special menu is agreed with HCL before any meals are taken.

Due to staff and pupil allergies we are a no nut school.  Please do not bring nut products into school so that we can reduce the risks of allergic reactions on the premises. 

Home Packed Lunches

Those children not wishing to have a school meal may bring a packed lunch from home in a named lunch box/bag.  Please do not send children in to school with lunches in plastic bags.

As a school, we promote healthy eating and so we ask that children should bring in:

• drinks in a watertight container that should not be fizzy or in a glass bottle 
• healthy snacks - no chocolate bars or sweets to be included 

Charges

Infant Free School Meals

Under the Government’s Universal Infant Free School Meal programme, there is no charge for meals served to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.  However, if you are think you may be eligible, see the section on Free School Meals below, as registering your entitlement has benefits beyond school meals.

Junior School Meals

Meals are chargeable for children in Years 3 - 6 unless you are entitle to Free School Meals. Payment is made via SchoolGateway.

Free School Meals

There is support available for families who receive financial support such as: Income Support; Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.

Follow this link to see how to apply for free school meals:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/at-school/free-school-meals/

NB Even if you are not planning on taking up the free school meals offer (FSM), or you do not pay for school meals because your children are in the Infants', there is benefit to you and to the school from registering your eligibility - the school receives grant funding (Pupil Premium) based on the number of FSM children to be used for the benefit of disadvantage children throughout the school; families receive extra help such as free holiday activity camp booking and supermarket vouchers for the holidays.

For more information or assistance with your application, please ask in the school office.

Snacks

All children in Reception and KS1 receive free fruit and vegetables daily as part of the Government scheme.

Breaktime snacks for children in other year groups should consist of fruit, dried fruit, vegetables or any other healthy snack - NOT crisps or biscuits.

Please remember we are a Nut free school. 

Birthdays and Celebrations

It is always nice to celebrate a friend's birthday or another celebration and this is something we support.   However, we do not be give out any food items and ask that you do not send any into school. 

We will sing happy birthday to your child and you may like to consider donating a book for the class to read or a game for wet play times.  

We thank you for your support in this.