Termly - Choose a Meal Plan

In order to streamline our processes and ensure the smooth operation of our school meals provision, we kindly ask that you inform the school office if you wish to make a change to your child's lunch preference at the beginning of each term.   This includes children on Free School Meals and those in Years R, 1 and 2 who receive Universal Free School Meals.

You can let us know of any changes via email, telephone or in person at the school office.   We do ask, however, that changes are kept to a minimum and, if possible, children remain on their chosen meal plan for a term.

If you pay for your school meals, and you have not informed us that your child has changed to a packed lunch, you will be charged by the catering company.

Please speak with the school office if you have any queries.

School Lunch Provision

All menus are produced in accordance with current food and nutrient standards for school lunches and will provide exactly a third of the nutrition the children need for the day.  Menus are displayed clearly in the dining hall and these are also sent home on a termly basis. 

Salad and fruit is offered on a daily basis through a food cart and there is also water available in the dining hall.

The school expects packed lunches to follow the same nutritional guidelines as School Dinners.

The catering company provides menus so that parents are aware of the food they are eating.  The catering staff are informed of children who suffer from allergies.  Details of the children and photographs are on the wall in the Kitchen to assist the catering staff with identification.

Once a term, the Area Catering Consultant arrives without notice to check the nutritional content of the meals, the weight per portion, the temperature of the food, plus the taste, and the general hygiene.

From September 2014 all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will be eligible for free school meals under the government's Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) initiative.

For KS2 children that receive a paid lunch, parents pay online. For payment details, see The Catering Company section below. Please ensure payment is made in advance. The cost of a meal is now £2.67 per day, £13.35 per week.                               

If you think you are entitled to free school meals, you can obtain a form from the School Office.

Packed Lunches

Packed lunches prepared at home should provide a balanced lunchtime meal with proportions linked to the Foods Standards’ Eatwell Plate where possible. This is because a well-balanced packed lunch will support sustained energy levels throughout the afternoon to enable maximum learning capacity.

Packed Lunches should include:

• At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day. We actively encourage children to work towards their daily intake of 5-a-day.
• A starchy food type such as bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other types of cereal every day.
• Dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard every day.
• Only still water, fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yoghurt or milk drinks or smoothies.

The school has a policy of NO fizzy drinks and discourages an imbalance of cakes or biscuits as part of a packed lunch. Sweets and bars of chocolate should not be included in lunch boxes. 

Facilities are available for children bringing packed lunches. We do ask that lunch boxes are clearly marked and that drinks are not sent in glass bottles.

School meal menus Winter Terms 2023-2024

• Kent Menu Final Week One - Oct 2023.pdf
• Kent Menu Final Week Two - Oct 2023.pdf
• Kent Menu Final Week Three - Oct 2023.pdf

• REGISTER/LOGIN FOR SCHOOL MEALS CHANDCOSchool Meal Register/Login

CH&CO ordering and payment system

• CHCO - Instructions for registering on new system.pdf
• Parent Guide for Ordering Meals.pdf

If you are having difficulties registering for school meals with CH&CO please telephone the number below as there is now a designated person to assist you.

The telephone number for CH&CO school meals helpdesk is 07880037143

Universal Free School Meals

If your child is in Year R, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to Universal Free School Meals - all children in these year groups can get a free meal at school each day.  You will need to pay for your child(s) lunch from Y3 unless you are entitled to means tested free school meals.

Free School Meals

Your child might be eligible if you access:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or 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
• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Your child might also be eligible if you’re in a household with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to a maximum income threshold. This is for children of:

• Zambrano and Chen carers (non-EEA nationals caring for a British citizen residing in the UK)
• British National (Overseas) passport holders
• Spousal visa, work visa, or student visa holders
• Those with no immigration status
• Families with a right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights
• Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
• Certain failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you think you are entitled to free school meals you can obtain a form from the School Office.

• Free School Meals Poster.pdf