School Meals and Milk
School Meals
Universal Free School Meals
The Government announced that from September 2014 all infant pupils (reception, year 1 and year 2) wil be entitled to a free, nutritious school meal at lunchtime. This new scheme is to help improve healthy eating and supply chilldren with the energy they need to concentrate in class throughout the day plus save families money. The financial benefit to parents of a free school meal every lunch time (during school term) will save over £400 per eligible child.
Hertfordshire Catering Limited
Our school meals, freshly prepared in our own canteen, are both tasty and nutritious. Hot and cold items are prepared each day. Hertfordshire Catering Limited provide our school meals. and state that:
- HCL is forward-looking and do everything possible to minimise the impact their business has on the environment. They are strongly committed to reducing their carbon footprint and strive to encourage staff and students to play their part in minimising waste and saving energy.
- Their policy of buying fresh, locally-produced ingredients reduces fuel consumption and transport costs. Staying local also means that they are contributing to the future success of regional farmers and growers.
- The provenance and origin of the foods they buy is a key factor in the way they operate, by buying directly from growers and producers. Fruit and vegetables are locally grown, Red Tractor accredited produce. Meat is sourced from local butchers, using British-reared stock. Sausages come from pigs reared in Suffolk. Fish is caught in sustainable waters certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
- Through active membership of LACA (Local Authority Catering Association) they have links to key organisations such as DEFRA, the Soil Association, Healthy Schools and the Children’s Food trust.
For more information on Hertfordshire Catering please visit their www.hcl.co.uk
Parents are welcome to come in to school to see our lunch time in operation. Please see the following link to download the lunch menu: www.hcl.co.uk/parents/menu?schoolId=0045&name=Our%20Lady%20Catholic%20Primary
Each term an e-mail will be sent detailling the cost of meals for that term. Meal balances can be found on ParentPay under your child's account. Parents can choose to pay either half termly or weekly. Payment must be made in advance. Any debt over £30 will be referred to the school Governors for recovery.
Those who prefer to bring a packed lunch may do so if they wish, provided it is brought in a plastic container which is clearly marked with their name. Parents are asked to give two weeks notice if they wish to change their child's dinner arrangements.
| School Meal Prices 2023-4 | |
|---|---|
|
Summer Term 2024 |
£3.35 |
School Milk
Milk is provided to all children in the school. If you would like your child to receive milk, please visit and register at www.coolmilk.com. Please see the letter below for further details.
Are you entitled to financial support?
| What you can apply for if you are receiving the following benefits | Free School Meals |
Help with Music Fees |
Help with Cycle Training |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
Support under part VI of the Immigrations and Asylum Act 1999 |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1st April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) |
Yes |
Yes (100%) |
Yes (50%) |
|
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit |
Yes |
No |
No |
You can apply online at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/at-school/free-school-meals/free-school-meals.aspx
If you would like help with the application process please contact the school office in confidence.
If your child is eligible for free school meals then the school can also help financially with the following:
Uniform
School Day Trips
School Residential Trips
School Swimming Lessons
After School Clubs
Cookery
Specific Resources
Pupil Premium and Free School Meal Eligibility
For more information about Free School Meals and Milk please visit Hertfordshire County Council website using this link Information about Free School Meals and Milk
Snacks
A piece of fruit or vegetable is provided mid morning for infant children and junior children may bring a piece from home. We are teaching the children about healthy eating, especially the importance of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day and this is an important way of reinforcing the message. Any left over fruit from the infant classes will be taken each day to the junior playground for the older children to eat. Sweets, chocolate or chewing gum should not be brought into school.
Water bottles can be purchased at the office to keep in class. They must contain only still water and need to be taken home each evening to be washed and refilled.
