School Meals

Audited as one of the best kitchens in Lancashire 2023!

Trawden Forest Primary has its own kitchen in which school dinners are freshly prepared each day. We have a school cook, Mrs Jayne Lee, who cooks all the meals freshly each day and her team follow the Lancashire County Council menu. We also offer a school packed lunch which consists of a sandwich, yoghurt, biscuit or cake, fruit and drink.

The Lancashire County Council website has full details of the catering provision that Trawden Forest Primary School offers.

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/catering/

Payment for Meals

Each meal costs £2.50 although children in Years R, 1 & 2 receive a universal free school meal funded by the government since September 2014.

Meals must be paid for weekly in advance – payment can be made via ParentMail.

Packed lunches

Alternatively, children may bring a packed lunch which are eaten in the main hall.
Packed lunches should be in a secure named small packed lunch bag or container - no rucksacks.
Children are not allowed to bring nuts, or nut based products into school - including spreads such as Nutella, which contain nuts
Chocolate and sweets are NOT allowed – instead, we encourage lots of fruit or vegetables.
Water is available for children who choose to bring a packed lunch. However, your child can bring their own drink in a non-breakable container – please avoid fizzy drinks.

Free School Meals

Some parents may be eligible to claim free school meals and this could mean that the school will receive additional funding to support children’s learning known as Pupil Premium.

Children in Years R, 1 & 2 receive a universal free school meal funded by the government since September 2014.

For children in year three and above they could be entitled receive free school meals if you get:

Income Support (IS)

Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA-IR)

Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (IB-JSA)

Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit and are not entitled to Working Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit ‘run on’- the payment you receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

If you receive one of the above benefits that entitle your child to free school meals, you can also register your eligibility with the council so that the school can benefit from additional funding, called pupil premium.

The pupil premium gives schools extra funding to raise the achievement of some pupils. This is measured by the number of children eligible for free school meals based on the above qualifying benefits. It is worth over £1000 per pupil for the school your child attends.

How to claim free school meals and Pupil Premium

In Reception, Year 1 or Year 2: If your child is starting reception, year one or year two from September 2014 you do not need to apply for free school meals. Just contact your child’s primary school to check what they need to do to get their free meals. Their free school meals will stop at the end of year two, unless you receive the above qualifying benefits. For year three and above and to register for pupil premium: To apply, complete an application form located on the Lancashire Council Website or simply ring your local Area Education Office with details of your name, date of birth and National Insurance number and an immediate on-line decision can be given.

Contact:

01254 220711 or 01254 220716

Area Education Office East,
Pupil Access Team,
UNION STREET,
ACCRINGTON BB5 1PL

You do not need to re-apply annually, your children will continue to receive free school meals unless you cease to be entitled, and the Council will let you know should that arise.