School Meals

Why have school meals?

Our school meals are designed to provide a varied, healthy and interesting menu for our children and are excellent value for money.

Meals are cooked and prepared fresh each day on site in our own kitchen, by our catering provider Mellors. Mellors are an award-winning family business, which was established back in 1840. We supply a good balance of healthy foods to support growth and development, and to encourage long-term good eating habits. Meals are varied, to introduce our children to different foods.

Meals consist of a main course and dessert, freshly baked bread and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables.

School meals provide your child with the opportunity to develop social skills while they enjoy eating with other children. Research has shown that a healthy, nutritious school meal can provide your child with the energy required to concentrate in class and cope with the demands of the day. (The Guardian – ‘Pupils work improves after a healthy lunch’)

Our school meals follow a healthy-eating policy.

Mellors do not intentionally use any products that contain nuts or nut by products.

Our meals are produced freshly every day using:

• fresh meat and poultry sourced from the region;
• fruit and vegetables sourced regionally where possible using local suppliers;
• products free from additives associated with health problems in young children;
• fats free from hydrogenated oils;
• with menus that are nutritionally balanced.

Children in Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 are entitled to a universal free school meal.  As below, please still complete a form if you are in receipt of any financial assistance as this will support our school with funding.

All payments for school lunches must be paid in advance through the ParentPay system which ensures we keep our cash handling down to a bare minimum.

School lunches for children in Year 3 up to Year 6 are charged at a rate of £2.35 per child, per day.  If you feel you may be entitled to Free School Meals please click here for further information including details on how to apply.

For more information on Mellors, our catering company, please click here.

Free School Meals

Families in our Dales Multi Academy Trust are being encouraged to check whether they may be eligible for free school meals.

A school meal may contribute to;

• improved behaviour in the afternoon
• improved concentration in the classroom
• a reinforcement of social skills and positive behaviour throughout the day
• a habit for healthy eating which is likely to stay with the child for life
• an increased intake of vegetables and a decline in consumption of soft drinks and crisps

Applying for free school meals is a simple process and there is no need to worry about other children knowing who does and doesn’t get free school meals as it’s a confidential service.

Remember, you could save up to £450 a year with free school meals for your child. School meals may also save you time and provide peace of mind that your child is enjoying a healthy, fresh, and nutritious meal at lunchtime.

School dinners cost £2.75 per day. Please click this link to access the Parent Pack provided by Mellors.

Free school meals for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils All children are eligible for free school meals if they’re in reception class; year 1; or year 2. Although these are not means tested – we ask that those receiving financial support still complete the form below so our school may benefit from additional funding of over £1200 per child.

Click this Link to: Complete for Free School Meals and help our school obtain additional funding

Free school meals for pupils of all years whose families receive financial support

If you get certain benefits, your child could also qualify for free school meals during all school years. Follow the link below to check if you qualify. If you are not sure it is worth completing the form to find out.

Click Here: Free School Meals – all years – check If we are entitled

School Menus

Coming Soon

Cool Milk

Many children in school are enjoying milk through the cool milk programme, the latest government initiative to ensure that children increase their calcium intake.

All children under the age of 5 are entitled to free school milk.  In the week that your child turns 5 they will no longer be eligible for free school milk but you can register and pay via the CoolMilk website.

Fruit

Preschool, Reception and KS1 children receive fruit every day.  Children in KS2 are welcome to bring in a piece of fruit to eat at playtime.

If you would like more information on healthy eating for your child please click here to visit the NHS Change4Life website where you can find some great recipe ideas and meal inspiration.