School Meals

On this page you will find all the Information you need to know regarding your Child's School meals here at Puss Bank School and Nursery. Also included is information and links regarding Pupil Premium & Free School Meals.

Dinners in School

School meals are prepared on the premises by our catering team and there are separate sittings for Infant and Junior children.

Children may bring a packed lunch if preferred and must notify their class teacher if they wish to change from school meals to packed lunches (or vice versa). Please be aware we have a number of children in school with quite severe nut allergies. Please to not send you child to school with nuts of any type.

For safety reasons, please do not include glass containers in your child’s lunch box.  Pupils are encouraged to eat healthily and to show courtesy and good manners at the table.

Guidelines and Ideas for Healthy Packed Lunches

For more Ideas about what to put in pack lunches, please click on the link to visit the Change4Life website.

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes

Special Dietary and Allergies Requirements

All medical dietary requirements (allergies, food intolerances) requested by parents have to be supported by a medical letter to be given to the School office.  An individual care plan will then be created which will document how to recognise symptoms and deal with adverse reactions and actions to be taken in an emergency.

Cultural and religious diets

Many people follow diets related to their culture or religious beliefs and the school will make every effort to provide meals for all children. In this case please inform the School office in writing of your child's requirements; this will be kept in your child's individual record and the relevant staff will be informed.

Key Stage 1 (KS1)

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England will be eligible for free school meals.

The school meal service offers a multi choice menu.

KS2 Free School Meals

Children are entitled to receive free school meals if they or their parents or guardians receive any of the benefits below.

• Universal Credit, provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC

• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

We suggest you do make a claim for free school meals even if your child is in key stage 1 as the school can claim additional funding (pupil premium) for new equipment and resources.

For more information or to apply please visit East Cheshire website 

 https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-meals/free_school_meals.aspx

If you apply and are successful please can you inform the School office and show proof of this.

Payment for School meals

From November 2024 the cost of a School meal is £3.00 per day or £15.00 per week. Please pay online via ParentPay. Please ensure you keep your child/children’s account in credit failure to do so you will need to provide your child/children with a packed lunch. If you do have any issues regarding dinner debt, please arrange a meeting with the School office to discuss a payment plan.

School meals are free for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Click here to access ParentPay https://www.parentpay.com/

All parents/Guardians will receive log in details when their child starts Nursery or School. Please dont hesitate to contact the school office if you need any help.

Foundation and Key Stage 1 -Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

As part of a government initiative to encourage healthier eating, our Foundation and Key Stage 1 children are offered a free piece of fruit or vegetable daily. This may include satsumas, bananas, apples, pears, cherry tomatoes or carrots.

Key Stage 2- Snack

Mid-morning snack is available to purchase for Years 3 and above. Every effort is made to provide a healthy snack that is low in fat, sugar and salt content.

Water Bottles in School

All children are advised to bring a clean, fresh water bottle to school each day where they will have access to it throughout the day. No squash and cordials please