Birdham CE Primary School

School Meals

 

FAQs for ordering meals

 Frequently Asked Questions about ordering meals  

lunchtimes

Lunch break for all children operates from 12.00pm – 1.00pm each day, although children eat in two sittings.  All of Kingfisher and Golden Eagle classes (and some from Peacock class) eat their lunch at 12.00pm in the hall, followed by all of Robin and Goldfinch classes (and remainder of Peacock class) at 12.30pm.  Children may either bring in their own packed lunch or have a hot school meal.

Hot meals are provided by Chartwells and can be purchased in two ways:

 

Parents wishing to purchase meals for their children must place their order and make payment (Y3 and above only) by midnight on the Thursday, for the week commencing Monday ten days later although meals can be ordered for up to ten weeks in advance.  Once the Thursday midnight deadline is passed, the whole week is locked and no changes can be made. 

You do not need to order for the whole week, single days may be ordered but there is a minimum £10 order. Payments can be made online by credit or debit card  and menus can be found on the ParentPay website

The current cost of each meal is £2.91 for KS2 children; However, children in  Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are funded under Universal Infant Free School meals funding.

Alternatively, children may bring in their own packed lunch.  Children are encouraged to ensure their lunch is healthy and to avoid sweets and fizzy drinks.  As we have children with severe nut allergies we also ask that no nuts or products containing nuts are brought into school.  Children may bring a drink to have with their lunch and also a water bottle to have during the day in class.

Three week Menu from Apr-23

 Link to Chartwells website

Free School Meals

If you receive any of the following support payments your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • The guaranteed element of State 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

Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also allowed to receive free school meals.  Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be entitled to receive free school meals. Children who register for Free School Meals will also receive a school jumper free of charge.

Applications must be made online from:

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/

 

During the autumn term of 2023, children in Peacock class thought it might be nice to change our lunchtime grace - and we agreed.  Here is the final version that they wrote together: