Lunches (Local Food Links)

All Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils will eat lunch in the Hall daily. From Reception to Year 2 all children benefit from the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) offer (this is not the same as Targeted Pupil Premium Free School Meals, where the benefits are much wider).

This (UIFSM) ensures all children from Reception to Year 2 have access to a free meal at school daily. Parents need to order through the ‘Local Food Links’ website. Parents are asked to look at the menu with their children and choose their meals. Children often eat well at school because that’s what the majority of others are doing (they don’t see it in the same light as home food options!) Bookings need to be made one week in advance; this applies to cancellations too. If your child has any allergies, please contact Local Food Links directly.

Key Stage 2 children have the continued option of purchasing hot meals and payment for this is via the Local Food Links (LFL) website. Please note: if you have not logged on to order a meal, your child will not receive one. We do not keep spare meals in school and therefore will telephone you to ask for a lunch to be delivered.

Lunch Boxes from Home

All parents are free to choose to send their child to school with a named, healthy lunch box. We remind you that we are a ‘nut free’ school and all products containing nuts must remain at home. Lunch boxes must be in-keeping with our Healthy School status, therefore we ask you to provide a balanced lunch without chocolate or sweets. Thank you. The School Nurse Team will be glad to help support families who find ideas for this difficult.

Lessen Choking Risks Please

We are asking for your support in helping us keep children safe. There has been a rise in choking related incidents nationally and the Government have set certain parameters around how schools approach lunch times. This includes the observation food brought in from home, to ensure that it does not pose a greater choking risk than necessary. We thank you in advance for your care in food preparation. Cutting up lunch box food can significantly reduce the risk of choking, especially for children. Here are some key points to consider:

Cut small round fruits like grapes, cherries and strawberries into quarters to prevent them from blocking the airway.
Remove hard pips or stones from fruits to ensure they are safe to eat.
Cut vegetables like carrots and celery into narrow batons to make them easier to swallow.
Remove skin from fruits and vegetables to make them easier to swallow, especially for young children.
Cut items like sausages in short length ways strips, as circles could block airways.

Pupil Premium Free School Meals (Expanded and Targeted)

A free, healthy meal is available every school day to children whose parents or carers receive qualifying benefits.

Please visit the Dorset Council Free School Meals for more information to see if your child is eligible. This contains a quick, easy, and confidential online application form. The financial information you provide will not be seen by your child’s school or teachers, and the school will only be notified if your application is approved. There are two possibilities that you may be accepted for: Expanded Free School Meals - this means your child is eligible for a hot free meal daily. Or, Targeted Free School Meals - this means your child not only receives a hot , free school meal daily, but that you may also benefit from help with purchasing school uniform, support paying for school visits and/or support with extra curricular clubs.

Free Holiday Activities

If your child qualifies for benefit-related free school meals, they also get access to free activities and nutritious food in the school holidays: Find out more.

Get extra funding for your child’s school

Even if your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 and already gets universal infant free school meals (UIFSM), please complete a free school meals application form if you think you might be eligible. If approved, you will gain access to free holiday activities and your school will receive extra funding (Pupil Premium) to support your child’s education and development: Apply for free school meals – Dorset Council.