School Meals

Healthy Eating and Lunchtime

For the future wellbeing of the children we do promote a healthy lifestyle within school. Along with a balanced diet children are encouraged to take part in regular physical exercise.

We are able to offer free school meals to all pupils in Reception Year, Year 1 and Year 2 in line with the Government initiative for Universal Free School Meals.

Pupils have the daily option of having a hot meal which is free to all children from funding from Central Government; or they may bring a packed lunch from home.

Children in Year R, 1 and 2 are given a piece of fruit or vegetable for break time provided by funding from Central Government by the School Fruit and Vegetable scheme.

We do encourage children to eat healthily and therefore discourage chocolate bars, sweets, crisps etc. in lunch boxes. No sweets or fizzy drinks are allowed.

Free School Meal – are you entitled to this?

We are also very keen to see that those children that are eligible for a Free School Meal, through the current scheme, are receiving the correct entitlement. This is different from the above Universal Free School meals which all children receive. Children who are eligible for the Free School Meal need to fit the following criteria:

You must receive one of these benefits to qualify:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods
• 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 Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

Children that receive a Free School Meal are also given additional funding to support them in school. This enables us to offer a wide range of support. This is called Pupil Premium. From September 2014 the school was given £1,300 per child that fit this criterion. This makes a significant difference to their education. Therefore we have sent home the application to all families to see if you could be eligible. Your child does not have to have the hot meal for the school to receive the funding.

Please click for an online application form: http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals