St Mary's RC Primary School

School Meals 2022-2023

I’m Mrs Fish, the cook at St Mary’s School.

All the meals served to the children have to comply with strict nutritional guidelines brought in by the Government and the Council have an on-going training programme to keep us up to date with these.

Myself and the dedicated team of ladies in the kitchen encourage the children to try new and different foods and enjoy a good rapport with them.

Research has shown that when children eat better, they do better. National school food standards were created to help schools to provide tasty, healthy food which gives children the best opportunity to learn and thrive. We’re here deliver great food to St Mary's children.

Thank you for supporting the School Meals Service and I hope we can continue playing our part in keeping your children healthy.

Please click on the link to access our School Meals Policy.

Free School Meals for Key Stage 1 Children (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2)

All children in Reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England are eligible for free school meals.

Please inform school if you do not wish to receive this offer, otherwise your child will automatically be opted in to the free school meal.

The school meal service offers all primary and special schools with a multi choice menu.

School Meals for Key Stage 2 Children (Years 3, 4, 5, and 6)

The council Catering Services have informed school that the cost of dinners will be going up to £2.70 from 1st September 2022.

The total weekly cost will be £13.50. We understand that this is a significant price rise for parents who pay for school meals. Unfortunately it is out of school’s control. Please pay for your dinners ahead of taking the meals.

Certified Ingredients

School meals provided by the Education Catering Service have been given the following awards:

The Soil Association's Food for Life - an independent guarantee that what's on your menu is freshly prepared, free from undesirable additives and better for animal welfare.
The MSC Chain of Custody standard - acknowledges that fish is only purchased from suppliers who support and source from sustainable fish stocks.
The Good Egg Awards - celebrating companies who are showing leadership by sourcing or switching to cage-free eggs (barn, free-range or organic eggs).
The Red Tractor Award - certifies the traceability of food from the farm to the plate.

All school meals comply with government standards developed by the School Food Trust.

School Menus Summer Term 2023

[pdf 913KB]

KS2 Free School Meals

Please click on the picture link to access the information.

Healthy Packed Lunches

At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day.

Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (eg lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus, and falafel) every day.

Oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks.

A starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day.

Dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard everyday.

Only water, still or sparkling, fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yoghurt or milk drinks and smoothies.

Packed lunches should have limited items such as:

Crisps - Instead, include seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat). Savoury crackers or breadsticks served with fruit, vegetables or diary food are also a good choice.

Confectionary such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets are not encouraged at school. Please only allow your child to eat cakes and biscuits as part of a balanced meal.

Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages/chipolatas should only be included occasionally.

Please click on the link below for some ideas.

Change 4 Life Healthy Lunchbox Ideas