School Meals

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.

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 £2.59 per day or £12.95 per week.

Free School Meals

Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) -All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Children

Children in 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 Nursery & 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. 

Even if you do not intend to take advantage of the free meal, school receives additional support funding for any child that meets the criteria and it is strongly recommended that you sign up for this scheme. 

Is my child eligible for free school meals (FSM)?

Your child might be eligible if you access:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or 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

• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Please apply through the link below and let the office team know.

https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/