School meals
Our school meals are cooked fresh on the premises. A school meal is priced at £2.50 per day for those not in receipt of Free School Meals.
All school meals are booked through Aspens Select. Every parent will be provided with log in details for their child/children. Parents will need to log in and purchase meal credits (if they are not in receipt of free school meals) to make meal selections in advance. Meals must be booked by 9am each morning and cancelled if your child is going to be absent.
Free School Meals
Applications for free school meals can be made by clicking here.
We urge families to be sure to claim this service even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or 2. Part of our school budget (£1,300 per child per year) is determined by the number of pupils receiving free school meals. By claiming this, you will actually be helping to ensure maximum resources for your child within the school. Your child will also be eligible to receive free milk throughout their time at school. If you need further advice please speak to our office team, they will be pleased to help you and give you all relevant information and forms..
All pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are able to have a ‘Universal Free School Meal’ at lunchtime. This offer does not depend on your household income or whether you receive any benefits – every child in these classes is eligible to take up the offer.
In a trial, it was found that pupils who ate a high quality school meal achieved better academically than those who did not. They were also more likely to eat healthier foods such as vegetables at lunchtime instead of less healthy foods such as crisps. Parents in the trial appreciated saving the cost of school meals (currently £2.41 per child per day) and not having to spend time preparing packed lunches.
Children in other school years will also be offered a free school lunch if their parent is receiving any of the benefits listed below:
To qualify for free school meals, parents or carers must receive one or more of these benefits:
- child tax credit, provided your annual income as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs does not exceed £16,190. If you receive working tax credit you will not be entitled unless you’re in receipt of a four-week run-on
- guarantee element of state pension credit
- income support
- income-based job seekers allowance
- income-related employment support allowance
- support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Fruit
The school encourages ‘healthy eating’ and provides FREE fruit / vegetables each day as we are involved in the government’s initiative providing fruit and vegetables to all 4 – 7 year olds.
Milk
Children will receive free milk, a third pint carton up to their fifth birthday.
Children over the age of 5 can continue to receive milk in one of two ways:
If they are entitled to free school meals (not universal free school meals) milk can be provided free of charge throughout their time at school. Please contact the school office if your child is entitled to free school meals and would like to receive milk.
If children are not free school meal eligible, an opportunity to continue receiving milk beyond their fifth birthday is available at a cost. Please arrange this with the school office.
Windwhistle School asks that parents do not include nut products in packed lunches as we have children in school with nut allergies.