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School Dinners

School Dinners

Children are encouraged to stay for a healthy cooked meal at school.

We do have some children on packed lunches, but since 2011 children from Reception have all stayed for school meals and this has continued with those children and all new children coming into school since 2011.  We would like to encourage the remainder of our children to stay for a school meal.

School dinners have changed considerably over the last few years and now incorporate a school packed lunch option with healthy options as well as a salad bar, pasta option.  We often promote school meals and have theme days throughout the year to encourage children who bring a home packed lunch to school to try these great menus.

Children with dietary requirements – parents should make an appointment with Mrs Meldrum or Miss Clark to discuss the child’s diet.  A hospital letter from the dietician or consultant will be required and we will work closely with the school cook to devise a suitable dietary menu for your child.

School meals are priced at £2.40 per day, £12.00 per week to be paid by a Monday morning either weekly, monthly or termly.  We are a cashless school and school meals therefore need to be paid via the Sunderland council Payment Link:  Sunderland City Council E-payments

The lunch menu is available on-line at Sunderland City Council by following this link: Microsoft Word - Primary menu 24 25

 

Free School Meals

Information relating to free school meals for families can be found on the TfC website: https://www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/article/21204/Free-School-Meals

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

  • 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 – your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

If your child is eligible for and getting free school meals at any time before 31 March 2025, they’ll remain eligible until this date.

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Please apply if you get any of these benefits – your child’s school can also get extra funding if you do. Free school meals are only available to school aged children (Reception onwards). 

If your child is eligible for and getting free school meals at any time before 31 March 2025, they’ll remain eligible until this date.

Change in free school meal guidance for households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

The following groups may be entitled, subject to maximum income thresholds

  • Zambrano carers
  • Families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
  • Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
  • A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Chen carers
  • Families holding a BN(O) passport
  • Spousal visa holders
  • Work visa holders
  • Student visa holders
  • Those with no immigration status

The maximum income threshold differs based on the number of children that your family has.

Income thresholds

Annual household income thresholds for families able to work are: £22,700 for families with 1 child or £26,300 for families with 2 or more children

Families can apply for free school meals via the Family Portal: https://emsonline.sunderland.gov.uk/CitizenPortal/en

Please contact TfC’s Family Information Service on:freeschoolmeals@togetherforchildren.org.uk

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