We place high importance on a healthy lifestyle and part of this is encouraging our children to make the right choices about what they eat. This means that we like to encourage parents to help them to make those choices and, if sending their child with a packed lunch, to make that a healthy packed lunch. We are always ready to give advice and help to parents.
Our school canteen provides high quality meals based on healthy foods. There is always a hot and a cold option and, on special occasions, special menus are available.
Food at break times
Children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 and 2 are entitled to free fruit and vegetable snacks which is delivered to the school. There is a wide variety of seasonal fruit and vegetables on offer including tomatoes, carrots, apples and pears; children also have the opportunity to enjoy dried fruits such as raisins or mango.
Children up to the age of 5 years are also entitled to free milk. This needs to be applied for through the Cool Milk website – www.coolmilk.com. If your child is older than 5 years but you would still like them to have a drink of milk each day, you are able to apply for it through the Cool Milk website but it will be at a cost. If you have any queries, please contact our school office who will happy to help.
While children in years 3 to 6 are not entitled to free fruit at break times, they are welcome to bring in healthy snacks in the form of fruit or cereal bars.
School Lunches
At lunchtime, children may stay for a school meal or bring in a packed lunch. The school meals are provided by Principals Foodservice. The menus have been planned in accordance with the government’s guidance on healthy eating, limiting the amount of fat, processed food and salt they may contain and are regularly reviewed. The menu works on a three-week rota system.
The cost of a meal is currently £2.30 per day. You can pay online at www.principals-catering.com. School lunches must be paid for in advance or in the morning.
Parents who have low income or are receiving Income Support may be entitled to free meals for their children – if you think your child may qualify for free meals, please talk with the school office, in confidence, who will be able to help you.
Packed Lunches
We ask that packed lunches should be brought in a suitable container or lunch box with the child’s name on it. We actively encourage our children to eat healthily and so we ask parents to provide a lunch that is balanced and doesn’t contain too much chocolate, if any. Fizzy drinks, cans and glass bottles are not allowed to be in school.
Kemsley Primary School is a “nut-free” school due to the severe allergic reactions children can have if they come into any contact with nuts. For this reason, we ask that nuts are not part of your child’s packed lunch in any form – as a snack, or as an ingredient in a bar or spread (such as peanut butter or chocolate spread). Thank you!
If you need ideas for what to put in your child’s lunchbox there are several website making suggestions – follow the links below that may be of help:
Links to following websites:
• www.school-lunch-ideas.com
• www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/packedlunches
• www.recipes.kaboose.com/BTS-Lunch-Recipes
Staffing at lunchtimes
At lunchtimes, teaching assistants are on duty as is at least one member of SLT. Children will be encouraged to eat their lunch and also enjoy playing games during the break. If children have a problem or would like a friendly chat, they will be encouraged to speak with one of the members of staff on duty.