School Meal Information
School Meals
At Whitchurch we pride ourselves on providing delicious, balanced meals for our children. Our kitchen has been awarded a healthy food award from South Oxfordshire District Council.
What will my child be given to eat if they choose a school meal?
All meals are prepared and cooked on site, using fresh vegetables and fresh, locally farmed meat. The balanced menus are on a three week rotation which is updated twice a year.
Every day your child can select:
A choice of hot meal with pudding
Fresh bread, yoghurt and fresh fruit are always available
Children who have a school meal are also offered milk as a lunchtime drink.
The latest menu can be found here (and next year’s here) and a hard copy is sent to all parents.
Can my child bring a packed lunch?
Children do not have to eat a school meal every day. Every week your child can choose any combination of school lunches and packed lunches. The children are asked at morning registration if they have a packed lunch or if they are having a school dinner. If they are having a school dinner, the menu is read to them and they choose which dish they would like. Please ensure your child is fully aware of their own arrangements each day.
If your child brings a packed lunch to school this is best kept in a soft, insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.
What about snacks?
Every morning break, our tuck shop sells milk; juice; crackers and cheese; dried apricots or raisins; and fruit for a small charge.
Your child may bring a snack from home – however we ask you to bear in mind our policy on healthy eating. Sweets and chocolate bars are not allowed as a break time snack. Please also refrain from giving your child nuts as a snack or in their packed lunch.
Can my child bring a drink?
Children will have the opportunity to drink water throughout the day. We have water fountains around the school. In addition, we encourage all children to have a clear plastic named water bottle containing still water to be able to drink throughout the day. Your child may bring a flavoured drink for snack time or as part of their packed lunch. However, fizzy drinks are not appropriate for school.
Will my child have to eat everything on their plate?
We encourage children to eat a balanced meal but do not force them to clean their plate. If your child brings a packed lunch, we ask them to take their leftovers home with them so you can keep tabs on what they are eating.
How do I pay for lunches?
The price of a pupil school meal is currently £2.20.
Parents are asked to register with ParentMail (our online communication system) and you can use this to check your child’s school meal account and to make payments online. If online payments are not possible for you, cheques made payable to Whitchurch Primary School or cash are also acceptable ways to pay for school meals although online payments via ParentMail are preferred.
Free School Meals eligibility
Since September 2014, all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England have been eligible for free school meals (UIFSMs).
In addition, parents of children from any year (Reception to Year 6) on low incomes in receipt of certain benefits may be entitled to receive free school meals on this basis (see additional information in our Welcome Pack). It is easy for us to check if you are eligible – all you need to do is give the school office your name, date of birth and national insurance number, or complete the relevant form and return it to the school office with original proof of the relevant support payments. For those who are confirmed as eligible, the school will also receive additional pupil premium funding to help support their child at school, so it is really worth applying for this if you are eligible, even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.
If you would like a copy of the latest menu please email the school office.
