School Meals and Milk

School Meals

We are proud to provide healthy, nutritious meals every day, prepared by our experienced catering team. Children can choose from a hot meal, filled baked potatoes, paninis, sandwiches, wraps and fresh salads, with fruit, yoghurts, cheese and crackers also available. Children are also welcome to bring a healthy packed lunch.

We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, including allergies, medical needs, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and religious diets. Please contact the school office if your child has any specific dietary requirements.

Meal Charges

  • Foundation 2, Year 1 & Year 2: Free under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

  • Years 3 to 6: £2.40 per day (please keep your Arbor account in credit).

  • Foundation 1 (30-hour Owls): Packed lunch or school meal for £1.50 per day. Meals are free for children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium.

Free School Meals : Academic Year 2026/27

From September 2026, the government is changing the rules for Free School Meals (FSM). These changes mean that more families will now qualify for support.

1. New Eligibility Rules – What is changing?

From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals, regardless of household income.

There are now two types of support:

Targeted Free School Meals

For families receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less.

Children in this group will:

  • receive free school meals

  • help the school receive extra funding (pupil Premium) to support learning

Expanded Free School Meals

For families receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400.

Children in this group will:

  • receive free school meals

Parents may still be able to apply for Free School Meals (FSM) if they receive certain qualifying benefits or support. Under the updated England guidance for 2026/27, eligibility can include:

  • Income Support

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

  • Child Tax Credit only (without Working Tax Credit) with annual income below £16,190

  • Working Tax Credit run-on (for 4 weeks after stopping work or reducing hours)

  • Some families with “No Recourse to Public Funds” may also qualify in certain circumstances through local authority discretion. Providing free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

If you think you may be eligible, please contact the school office. Applications are quick, confidential and only require your National Insurance number and your child's date of birth.

Even if your child already receives a free meal in Foundation 2, Year 1 or Year 2, it is still important to apply if you are eligible. This enables the school to receive valuable Pupil Premium funding to support children's education.

School Milk

School milk is:

  • Free for children under five.

  • Free for children eligible for Free School Meals.

  • Subsidised for all other pupils.

If your child is not entitled to free milk, you can register directly with Cool Milk. Milk costs approximately £18 per term. If payment is received by 5.00pm on a Tuesday, milk will usually begin the following week.