School Meals

Hot School Meals

At Bridge & Patrixbourne, we believe that a nutritious meal plays a vital role in a child's overall development and well-being. Providing hot school lunches ensures that our students receive balanced meals, packed with essential nutrients, which are crucial for their growth, concentration, and energy levels throughout the day.

Here are some key benefits of hot school lunches:

1. Nutritional Value: Our hot school lunches are carefully planned and prepared to meet the nutritional standards set by the Food Standards Agency. They consist of a variety of food groups, including lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products, ensuring that our students receive a well-rounded meal.

2. Improved Concentration: A balanced meal can significantly enhance a child's ability to concentrate and focus in the classroom. By providing hot lunches, we aim to support our students in achieving their academic potential by fueling their minds and bodies with the necessary nutrients.

3. Establishing Healthy Habits: By promoting the consumption of nutritious meals, we hope to instill healthy eating habits in our students from an early age. These habits can have a long-lasting impact on their overall health and well-being, both during their time at Bridge & Patrixbourne and beyond.

4. Social Interaction: Enjoying a hot school lunch together fosters a sense of community and provides an opportunity for students to engage in positive social interactions. Sharing a meal encourages conversation, friendship, and the development of social skills, all of which are essential for their personal and social growth.

5. Convenience for Parents: Opting for our hot school lunches eliminates the need for parents to plan and prepare packed lunches every day. This not only saves valuable time but also ensures that your child receives a well-balanced meal without the added stress of meal planning.

We are proud to offer a varied and delicious menu that caters to different dietary requirements and preferences. Our kitchen team works diligently to provide appetizing meals that appeal to our students' tastes while adhering to nutritional guidelines.

I encourage you to take advantage of our hot school lunches and experience the benefits it can bring to your child's educational journey. If you have any specific dietary concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact our school office, and we will be happy to assist you.

The cost is £2.85 per day and meals should be booked through Arbor, ideally on the Sunday preceding the week. If you have any difficulties with this, then please contact the school office.

A 'How To' guide can be found below along with the current menus.

School Meals

 

Free School Meals

Universal Free School Meals

Children in years R to 2 are eligible for free school meals under the Government's Universal Free School Meal initiative. If you receive certain benefits, the school can also get some additional money to support the children's learning if you register here. 

Are my children eligible for Free School Meals in Key Stage 2?

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• 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)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

You can apply for your child's free school meals online here. Your eligibility will be checked and your application processed straight away. If your application is successful the school will be notified by email immediately and your child should start receiving their free school meal within 24 hours.

 

Packed Lunches

Packed lunches should be brought in a clearly named, suitable container. Lunch boxes are stored in class chests until required. Food not eaten at mealtime should be packed away and taken home.

We are a Healthy School and we encourage our children to eat healthily. If you are stuck for ideas for lunch boxes or would like more information about healthy foods click on the links below:

• The Eatwell Guide

 

Special Diets and Allergies 

We recognise that some pupils may require special diets that do not allow for the standards to be met exactly. In discussion with the parents we can devise a school menu that caters for them although parents may wish to provide their own packed lunch. In this case parents are urged to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible. We also have pupils with allergies and intolerances, for these reasons pupils are also not permitted to swap food items. 

Please do not send in any nuts or food items which contain nuts.