Lakeside Primary AcademySchool Meals and Menus
Aspens is the company chosen by us to provide the meal service for our pupils and we are looking forward to welcoming your child for their school lunches. They are experts in school catering and have years of experience when it comes to school food. The food children eat at school plays an important role in their wellbeing and eating a well-balanced diet will not only maintain and improve their health but will also set them on the right track for later life.
Our catering team cater for varied dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergens, halal – just let the office team know your child’s needs and we can liaise with our catering team.
Aspens Packed Lunch
From June 8th 2026 Aspens will be offering a daily sandwich option in addition to the current menu offer. The sandwich offer will include a sandwich plus carrot sticks, a pizza swirl, a cookie and orange wedges. Please see poster Packed Lunch for further information.
Packed Lunches
Lakeside are a nut free school. NO NUTS ALLOWED.
If your child brings packed lunches to school, we ask that parents send a healthy packed lunch such as a sandwich or wrap, fruit, vegetable sticks, yoghurt and a biscuit/small cake. Children should bring juice or water to drink, we do not allow fizzy drinks in school.
Water is available to all children at lunchtime and throughout the day.
Please speak to the school office if your child has any allergens or intolerances. Aspens will contact you to discuss these and they may be able to provide an alternative option.
Paying for School Meals
Payment for school meals are to be paid on parent pay please click here for ParentPay to access your account or to sign up. If you need any help please ask the office staff.
School meals cost £2.75 per day or £13.75. per week .
Free School Meals
Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) -All Nursery Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Children
Children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). UIFSM is not the same as free schools meals. You do not need to meet a specific criteria for your child to receive this – it is all free for all infant age children.
How can my child access this?
Just let the Office team know at school that you child would like to have a school meal.
If you are entitled to Free School Meals (see further information below) you should still apply for when taking a meal in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as school can claim additional funding to support the children's learning.
Paid School Meals
When your child attends Lakeside Junior Years (Years 3-6) they will need to pay for their meals as these are not free for children in those year groups unless you qualify for Free School Meals.
Free school meals (FSM) - Qualifying Children in Any Year Group
Children in families receiving certain benefits may be entitled to free school meals regardless of the year group they are in.
Important changes to Free School Meals (FSM) will take effect from 1 September 2026.
What has changed?
Children in families receiving Universal Credit may now qualify for Free School Meals. This means your child may be eligible even if they have not qualified before.
Receiving Free School Meals provides your child with a free school lunch and helps the school receive extra funding to support pupils.
If your child already receives Free School Meals:
Eligibility must be checked again before September 2026.
Some families may no longer qualify under the new rules. It is important that your details are up to date. You must apply and have your eligibility checked, even if your child currently receives Free School Meals.
What do you need to do?
Apply if you receive Universal Credit or receive one of the income related benefits listed below. You will need to re-apply if your child already receives Free School Meals.
Complete your application as soon as possible so meals are in place for September 2026.
You may be entitled to apply for free school meals for your children if you receive one of the following income related benefits:
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income below £16,190 per annum
• Working Tax Credit during the 4-week period immediately after your employment finished, or after you start to work less than 16 hours per week
• Universal Credit, your household income must be less than £7,400 (£616.67 per month) after tax and not including any benefits you receive.
If you believe your child should be eligible for Free School Meals based on the criteria above, you can apply through the link below, please can you inform the office team: