School Meals
Free School Meals
Whilst all children in Reception Class, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to receive a free school meal under the Universal Free School Meal entitlement, parents / carers are strongly encouraged to also complete a free school meal application form (see downloads below) as each child eligible for a Free School Meal based upon parent / carer income attracts a “Pupil Premium” for the School which is provided by Central Government and equates to a cash amount for your child’s School. This is then used to support your child’s education through the provision of additional teachers, Teaching Assistant support and resources at the School.
If you have any queries, please contact the School Office. The office staff or Miss Fazackerley will be happy to discuss Pupil Premium with you and can help you complete an application form for Free School Meals.
If you get any of the following support payments your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
When you complete a Housing/Council Tax Benefit form, and meet the correct eligibility criteria, this automatically entitles your child(ren) to free school meals. Schools will be directly advised of this eligibility and your child(ren) will remain eligible for the period you are in receipt of the qualifying benefit.
For a small number of parents in receipt of Child Tax Credit, they will be required to complete a free school meal application form.
Please download the form and apply if you think, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, even if they usually have a Packed Lunch. https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/EducationandFamilies/Schools/FreeSchoolMeals.aspx
School Meals' Service
At Lunt's Heath Primary we contract Halton Borough Council's School Meals' Service as our preferred provider for daily hot meals. The menus that they offer are stringently regulated in line with Government policy to ensure that children are receiving a balanced diet and food which contains suitable nutritional values.
Parents / carers wishing for their children to eat their own packed lunch can do so; we do however ask that you provide a healthy packed lunch that does not contain sweets / chocolates or fizzy drinks, and that you also carefully consider the plastic packaging content. Children eating packed lunches eat together with those choosing to eat school dinners.
All payments and bookings for school dinners are to be made via www.schoolgateway.com
Please make payments in multiples of daily amount of £2.70 i.e.
5 x £2.70= £13.50
10 x £2.70 = £27.00
Please make your booking and payment for meals required in advance of taking the meal as they are deducted from your balance on a daily basis. If you prefer you can pay per Half Term. Any meals not taken due to absence are credited back to the pupils account. If your account falls into arrears you will be sent a message asking you to pay for all meals taken and pay in advance for any further meals.