From September 2014, all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 became entitled to a free school meal every day under the Government’s UFSM policy. Your child may also be eligible for Free School Meals if you are in receipt of benefits, please ensure the school is aware of this, as the school can also access Pupil Premium funding for your child, which will support him / her with learning.
Meals cost £2.30 per day – £11.50 per week. We are a cashless school. All monies need to be paid in advance of meals through the School Gateway App (Download via the App Store). Children cannot be provided with a school meal unless it is paid for in advance. If a debt is created, you will receive a text message and letter advising how to resolve the matter. In the first instance, please ensure you speak to a member of the office team or the Head Teacher.
A free meal is supplied to children whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits such as Income Support. If you think your child may be entitled to free meals please contact the school. Children receiving free school meals are treated in exactly the same way as children who pay. School will check on your behalf, just supply the office with your name, date of birth and national insurance number. They will check and then let you know the outcome.
Should you wish for your child to change meal arrangements, we require one half term’s notice. Without this notice we cannot guarantee that changes can be made. The school operates a cafeteria system based on rota with children having a choice of school meals, including sandwiches and a salad bar.
Nut Free School
As we have children with severe allergies we have made the decision to become a nut free school. We would like everybody to support us to fulfil this as much as possible. it is important that food containing nuts are avoided in packed lunches which are sent into school.
Packed Lunches
Packed Lunches – we are a NUT-FREE school at Hemlington Hall Academy.
Please follow the guidance below when preparing your child’s packed lunch.
o Packed lunches should be brought to school in a suitable container / lunch bag with your child’s name clearly marked on it.
o Some children and staff at Hemlington Hall Academy may have allergies therefore please ensure packed lunches do not contain any nuts.
o Lunches must not contain sweets and only one ‘dessert’, eg a biscuit, cake or yogurt. We encourage children to eat healthily and bring a balanced packed lunch. A suggestion would be:
– Sandwich / Pasta Salad / Quiche
– Piece of Fruit / veg sticks
– ‘Dessert’ – biscuit / cake / yogurt
– Crisps
– Drink – water / juice
o Please provide your child with a drink. Please do not send in glass bottles or cans of any kind: fizzy drinks are not allowed in school.
*Please note your child has their own water bottle in school and water is available to them throughout the day.
o EY / KS1 children are provided with a piece of fruit or Veg every breaktime. KS2 children are welcome to bring a healthy snack for break times.
o We ask that parents do not send any sweets / treats / Birthday cakes from home. This is to avoid any child with dietary requirements missing out or becoming unwell.
There is some great Guidance on the NHS Choices website.
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/
