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School Meals & Menus
Our school meals are provided by Fresha. Fresha have built their reputation as responsible caters, providing freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious quality foods.
Fresha believe the best meals are both delicious and nutritious and all the ingredients should come from trusted sources. To achieve this a dedicated team of chefs create outstanding food using locally sourced ingredients from the best suppliers in the West Country. Responsible Catering is at the very core of what Fresha stands for – ‘because what you eat matters’. Working closely with local suppliers and using the freshest ingredients allows them to prepare a mouth-watering selection of children’s menus.
We have our own kitchen at school and the kitchen manager, Marie Rouse, is working with us to provide healthy meals that will be appealing to children.
A copy of the menu is sent home each term.
Booking And Paying For School Dinners
How do I order a school dinner for my child?
By providing us with your email address and mobile phone number we are able to set up an account for you on Schoolcomms. This will enable you to login and make online payments for meals via School Gateway or via the Schoolcomms app.
Click here if you wish to pay online
If your child has a medical appointment and will be late arriving at school, please ring before 10am to let us know if a school meal is required, or send your child in with a packed lunch.
How much do school dinners cost?
The cost of a meal is currently £2.60 per day
How do I know which menu choices are available?
New menus are issued each term indicating choices available for each day. An electronic version of the menu is available to view or download from our school website. We currently offer main, vegetarian, jacket potato and packed lunch options each day. ​
Free School Meals
​Children from Reception to Year 2 are automatically entitled to ‘Universal Free School meals.’ However, this is different to ‘Free School Meals’.
Some children, no matter what their age, including those of the age to receive Universal Free School meals, may also be entitled to Free School Meals if their parents are in receipt of identified benefits and state support.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free school meals when they enrol their child in school, as this can help their child’s school to attract additional ‘pupil premium‘ funding to support learning.
Children who are entitled to Free School Meals and/or Pupil Premium Funding may also benefit from extra support from the school such as a reduction in the cost of school trips and residentials and focused provision within school.
School funding is explicitly linked to the number of children eligible for Free School Meals; the more children in receipt of free school meals means the more funding the school gets in its budget. Nursery children can apply for Free School Meals as soon as they start in our Nursery. Nursery children who are entitled to Free School Meals can have their meal if they are in attendance for a full day, at least 9am-3pm.
If you are entitled to any of the following benefits then your child may be entitled to Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
- Income Support (IS).
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
For more information or to apply through the Citizen Portal
Check immediately whether you are able to receive Free School Meals
At St. Sidwell's we try to encourage children to lead healthy lifestyles and to help them to understand the importance of a balanced diet and sufficient exercise. We achieved the Healthy School Community Award in July 2007 and Healthy Schools Plus in July 2011. We look for your support in continuing to meet the standards by providing healthy food options for your child.
Water
Drinking water is known to promote healthy bodies and alert minds and we encourage children to drink regularly during the school day. For health and safety reasons, parents are now asked to take responsibility for washing water bottles, but bottles or tops can be bought at a very reasonable price from the school. Children should bring their water bottle to school every day.
Snacks/Fruit
Hungry children find learning more difficult! We encourage them to eat a piece of fruit during morning play to keep their stamina up for the rest of the morning. Children in Foundation and Key Stage One are provided with a free piece of fruit each day, funded by the National Health Service Children under the age of 5 are additionally provided with free milk.
Older children are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable (carrot, celery etc) to eat during morning play (NOT biscuits, crisps or chocolate). Please support us in these efforts to develop healthy eating habits.
Packed Lunch
Children may bring a packed lunch for their mid-day meal, or you may buy a school dinner which is cooked on the premises. There is a wealth of evidence now about the effect of food on children's behaviour and concentration. We therefore ask you to please consider carefully what you provide for your child each day if they bring a packed lunch. Sweets are not allowed, but we also discourage chocolate bars and an over-reliance on processed snacks and fried foods. Please also avoid nuts as we have a number of children with nut allergies and need to minimise the risk of them coming into contact with any form of nuts. Sandwiches and fresh fruit are ideal, providing the right kind of energy for your child to make the most of their afternoon in school.