School Meals

Benefits of good food at school

There is evidence that food eaten by young people at school affects their behaviour and ability to learn. By committing to a regular school meal you can be sure your child is eating well at lunchtime. So what are the benefits of enjoying a school lunch?

  • All menus are nutritionally balanced and conform to the government’s national nutritional guidelines.
  • Children can sit down together and enjoy their meal, whilst at the same time developing those social skills of eating together that are so important in later life.
  • Children can choose each morning what meal they would like to eat at lunchtime
  • We encourage the children to use their cutlery correctly to cut and eat their food
  • A well-fed and happy child is more likely to be receptive to participating in the afternoon’s activities.
  • Someone else prepares and cooks lunch for your child, which saves you worrying about a packed meal every day.

School meals cost £2.70 per day, and can be booked via the Teachers2Parents app. Children can choose between school dinners or packed lunches throughout the week, but please make sure these are booked in advance using the Teachers2Parents app. It is helpful for our kitchen staff for school dinners to be booked two weeks in advance, so they are able to order the correct quantities of food without wastage.

Click to Download Autumn Winter School Lunch Menu [pdf 303KB] Click to Download

Free School Meals

Universal Free School Meals

As part of the Government’s school food plan, every school in England provides free lunches for all children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Means-tested Free School Meals

Eligibility

You can get free school meals if your child attends a local authority maintained school (not private) and you receive one of the following:

  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit

Additionally:

  • You, as the parent or guardian, must Receive Child Benefit for the child you are responsible for.
  • Children who receive Universal Credit in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.
  • Children who receive “education suitable for children who have not attained compulsory school age” will still need to satisfy the additional requirement of “receiving education both before and after the lunch period”, before being eligible to receive free school meals.

Apply

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/xfp/form/1338

You don't need to apply if you are already in receipt or have applied for Housing Benefit or help with your Council Tax.

We will use the information and evidence you have already provided to confirm your entitlement to free school meals.

If you live outside the borough (except Manchester) and your child goes to an Oldham school you will need to apply through your local council in the area where you live.

If you are resident in Manchester or Tameside but your child attends an Oldham school, please complete the Free School Meals application form.

You will also need to apply if you are getting any of the other benefits listed.

You do not need to re-apply for free school meals every year unless your circumstances change.

Change in circumstance

If your or your child’s circumstances change free school meals may be withdrawn, the most common reasons include:

  • The parent or guardian ceases to receive a qualifying benefit
  • The child leaves school
  • The family move out of the borough
  • The child goes onto packed lunches (long term)
  • The child is absent from school for a long period of time

All changes of circumstance must be reported by the benefit claimant (schools can also report changes of circumstance).

5 star rating

5 Star Food Safety and Hygiene Award

We are delighted that our kitchen has received a full 5 Star Award in their Food Hygiene and Safety inspection!