Rackheath Primary School

Inspiring Learning, Valuing All

School Meals & Snacks

We are very lucky to enjoy lovely school dinners through our caterers EATS.  From September 2014 all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have been entitled to a free meal as part of Universal Free School Meal Legislation.

The cost of a school meal for children in KS2 is £2.60.  In September 2023 we moved to SCOPAY which is an app that enables parents to book and pay for lunches online.

Please see attached the new Menu which will run from 15th April – 24th October 2024.

Children can bring their own packed lunch from home.  Parents are asked to support us in encouraging children to enjoy a healthy packed lunch.  Please do not send any fizzy drinks or chocolate / sweets in your child’s lunch box.  Please do not send glass bottles / containers.  We do not have the facilities to refrigerate lunch boxes so if necessary do include a small ice pack in with your child’s meal.

Free School Meals

Children of families receiving Income Support, Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) or Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance are entitled to receive free school meals.

Families receiving Child Tax Credit but who are not entitled to a Working Tax Credit, and whose annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) does not exceed £16,190 are also entitled as are those who receive the Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.  Those families receiving Working Tax Credit are not entitled to free school meals.

Note: Where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free school meals.

If you are receiving one of these benefits either contact the school officer to obtain an application form or call 0344 800 8020 for further advice.

You can also print a copy of the free school meals application form here.

Once entitlement has been assessed children can continue to receive free school meals until the family stops receiving a qualifying benefit.  Parents are required to inform the Authority of any changes and regular checks will be carried out against records held by the Department of Work and Pensions, the Home Office and HM Revenue & Customs by the Free School Meals Team.

Water

Children are encouraged to bring a bottle of water to school with them to drink during the school day.  Please do not send anything other than water as if these are spilt it results in a sticky mess in the classroom and repeated drinking of squash and fruit juices during the day increases the risk of dental decay.

Snacks

A healthy mid-morning fresh fruit snack is provided for all children in key stage 1.  A Tuck Shop is available for children in key stage 2  or parents can send in a healthy snack for their child to enjoy at break time.

Examples of acceptable snacks are:

    • Savoury biscuits or crackers
    • Breadsticks
    • Fruit, fresh or dried, not tinned.
    • Raw chopped vegetables
    • Cheese
    • Non sugar coated popcorn

Unacceptable snacks include:

    • Chocolate or chocolate biscuit bars
    • Sugar laden cereal bars
    • Sweets
    • Crisps
    • Cakes

Birthdays

Whilst we are happy to acknowledge every child’s special day and celebrate with them, we do not allow the distribution of sweets to classmates within school hours as this contravenes our Healthy Schools Policy.