School Meals
Whole School Approach
Ryarsh Primary School recognises the importance of a healthy diet and the significant connection between a healthy diet and a pupil’s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards at school.
Ryarsh Primary School strives to continually raise awareness of the necessity for healthy eating by all members of the school community.
We aim to provide a service that is consistent with our teaching of healthy eating, thus enabling pupils to put into practice their learning. All food provided to pupils during the school day meets the School Food Standards which became mandatory in all maintained schools, academies and free schools from January 2015. These can be found at: http://www.schoolfoodplan.com/standards/
Lunchtime food provided for pupils and staff in school is provided by Caterlink Catering services. We work closely with them to ensure their services meets the needs of our pupils, requesting changes to menus and service as appropriate.
Please note that, due to severe allergies, we are a nut free school, meaning that children are not permitted to bring in any products that contain nuts.
Further information can be found by reading our whole school food policy:
Packed Lunches
Your child may have a school meal or bring a packed lunch. For safety, lunch containers should be unbreakable with no glass containers. Please ensure you provide your child with a balanced meal to encourage the children to eat healthily. We would ask that you do not include sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks as these tend to fill the children up without providing much nutritional benefit.
Some ideas for healthy and interesting packed lunches can be found HERE
School Meals
Our school meals are cooked on-site in our modern kitchen. The catering company providing this service is’ Caterlink Ltd’. Information about the company and their service, as well as a copy of the menu for schools, can be found on their website at:
http://www.caterlinkltd.co.uk
The cost of a meal is £3.05, with payment made online.
Snacks
The school understands that snacks can be an important part of the diet of young people and can contribute positively towards a balanced diet. At Ryarsh, our children are able to bring in a healthy snack to eat. Ideally, this would be a portion of fruit or vegetables. In line with DfE guidance, the following items are not permitted:
- No savoury crackers, breadsticks or crisps
- No confectionery or chocolate
- No cakes, biscuits or pastries
Universal Infant Free School Meals
All infant school pupils (every child in reception, year 1 and year 2) in state funded schools in England are eligible for free school meals.
Free School Meals
In Kent, 21% of children receive free school meals. If you are eligible and register your child will get:
- a choice of delicious, healthy hot meals every school day at no cost - this is worth £470 a year per child and recognised to improve behaviour and learning
- meals to cater for cultural, dietary, and religious requirements
- the chance to develop social skills by sitting with friends for a school meal.
The school will receive additional funding to cover the catering cost and school funding grants, such as the Pupil Premium, based on their take up of free school meals.
You can check your eligibility and apply online at:
http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals