School Meals

At St Mary’s we currently have in excess of 60% of our children who take advantage of our school meals, cooked on site. This has increased in recent years, by more than 20% - a testimony to its success.
 
Our menus, which have been drawn up by our experienced Catering Consultant, who has fine-tuned them over time with children's tastes and best interests in mind, comply effectively with the British Food standards . We are also delighted to acknowledge, that they embrace fair-trade, free range products and support local farmers and providers.

Our lunchtime supervisors are encouraging and supportive; they also expect children to eat well and are vigilant in reporting a poor diet to relevant staff who liaise with parents, as needed. Supervisors are ready for action to support the precarious carrying of trays and cutting of food - all part of growing up! They know when to help and when to stand back and encourage independence too.
 
Parents can apply online for free school meals, if eligible, by using the link below. 

We have regular themed days such as Bonfire Night, Seaside Day, American Independence Day, to name but a few. These are always well supported with numbers increasing to approximately 75% plus of all pupils, on these days.

Our kitchen also offers a healthy snack, at first break, and the option of purchasing a cup of home made milkshake. This is well supported with children helping their peers on delivery to classrooms. 
Finally, we have "Fruity Friday" where children can purchase additional fruit as part of their lunch too. This is also a popular little venture. 
Our menus rotate on a three-weekly basis. 
How do I order a lunch for my child?

School dinners cost £2.30 per day. Nursery and Key Stage 2 need to order school dinners in advance.  It is helpful if this is done by Monday morning each week. Reception and Key Stage 1, we will assume are having a dinner if you come to school without a packed lunch.
 
School dinners are booked and paid for via the School Gateway, our on-line payment system.  Refunds are made in the event of illness.  

Helpful information about using the School Gateway to book school dinners:
 
  • sign in to the School Gateway app or web page.
  • select your child (each child must be selected individually - one at a time).
  • do not click on "Payments" but click on the club required e.g. Year 4 Dinners.  You will then be able to:
    • View bookings
    • Make a booking
    • View transactions

Click below for a guide on how to book school dinners via the School Gateway.

We welcome comments from parents, good and bad, providing they are fair and politely expressed. We are not a restaurant, we are a school and we offer high quality school dinners. Let us know your thoughts.

Finally, give it a go! The only way we can maintain a high service of on site cooking, which is what parents requested, is with parental support.

A continued vote of thanks

  • Thanks to our admin team, for their patience when busy parents need support, reminders or some additional information. It is appreciated.
  • Thanks to the cleaning team for their diligence in keeping the kitchens and the hall so clean.
  • Thanks to Mike King, our catering consultant – for his support, his wisdom and his challenging expectations.
All of these people help the kitchens to be excellent and receive top rating from Environmental health checks and Nutrition audits.