School Meals
Food and Healthy Eating
Buckingham Park Church of England Primary is a healthy school. It is important that we consider all elements of our work to ensure that we promote health awareness in all members of the school community. We can provide a valuable role model to pupils and their families with regard to food and healthy-eating patterns.
Through effective leadership, the school ethos and the curriculum, all school staff can bring together all elements of the school day to create an environment which supports a healthy lifestyle.
Our school has held the 5 Star Food Hygiene Award, and was recently assessed to the same high standard on the 3rd of March 2020 by Environmental Health Inspectors.
Food and Celebrations
We want to give children the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays but to promote healthy eating choices we would ask that parents and carers do not send in birthday cakes or sweets. If parents want to bring something in to celebrate birthdays we would ask that healthy foods such as fruit or non-food items such as stickers, a special book for the class or colouring pencils are considered as alternatives.
At Christmas and at the end of the school year, classes may have a class party in which food is brought in by parents and carers. We will provide a balance between treat foods and health fruit and vegetables at these times.
Staff will not give edible food gifts to children at the end of terms or the end of the school year. Alternatives to these will be provided instead.
More information can be found in our Policy, below
Through effective leadership, the school ethos and the curriculum, all school staff can bring together all elements of the school day to create an environment which supports a healthy lifestyle.
Our school has held the 5 Star Food Hygiene Award, and was recently assessed to the same high standard on the 3rd of March 2020 by Environmental Health Inspectors.
Food and Celebrations
We want to give children the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays but to promote healthy eating choices we would ask that parents and carers do not send in birthday cakes or sweets. If parents want to bring something in to celebrate birthdays we would ask that healthy foods such as fruit or non-food items such as stickers, a special book for the class or colouring pencils are considered as alternatives.
At Christmas and at the end of the school year, classes may have a class party in which food is brought in by parents and carers. We will provide a balance between treat foods and health fruit and vegetables at these times.
Staff will not give edible food gifts to children at the end of terms or the end of the school year. Alternatives to these will be provided instead.
More information can be found in our Policy, below
| Food and Healthy Eating Policy |
School Meals at Buckingham Park
From 2025, we will serve delicious hot meals at Buckingham Park Church of England Primary School, cooked by the team at HCL on site. Meal times are an enjoyable part of the day with children having a choice of meal from our counter service.
All parents, whether eligible for free school meals or paid meals, will need to book and reserve their children's meals each week. This must be complete by 9am each morning. Meals can also be cancelled with a full refund made up to this time too.
Please see further information in the booklet below, including sample menus
All parents, whether eligible for free school meals or paid meals, will need to book and reserve their children's meals each week. This must be complete by 9am each morning. Meals can also be cancelled with a full refund made up to this time too.
Please see further information in the booklet below, including sample menus
| HCL - Feeding Healthy Minds |
Allergens and Special Dietary Requirements
Our School lunch menus are designed for the majority of the school population, but we also recognise that some pupils with special dietary needs may need to be catered for individually.
Food allergies and intolerances affect thousands of children. Other children follow special diets for religious or cultural reasons, or because they are vegetarian or vegan. Wherever possible, our caterers take reasonable steps to cater for this as part of our service.
All families with any dietary preferences, allergies or needs which affect their child's ability to access meals must apply via https://specialmenu.hcl.co.uk/
If there are any specific queries regarding allergy menus parents may contact the nutrition team at HCL.Nutritionist@hcl.co.uk
The caterers will not be aware of these needs unless you contact directly.
Food allergies and intolerances affect thousands of children. Other children follow special diets for religious or cultural reasons, or because they are vegetarian or vegan. Wherever possible, our caterers take reasonable steps to cater for this as part of our service.
All families with any dietary preferences, allergies or needs which affect their child's ability to access meals must apply via https://specialmenu.hcl.co.uk/
If there are any specific queries regarding allergy menus parents may contact the nutrition team at HCL.Nutritionist@hcl.co.uk
The caterers will not be aware of these needs unless you contact directly.
Universal Free School Meals for Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Every pupil in reception, year 1 and 2 is eligible for free school meals. Parents hoping to benefit from these meals still need to order all of their children's meals through Parent Pay each week in the same way as parents who pay.
We encourage as many children as possible to take up this entitlement but parents may still opt to send in a packed lunch instead.
We encourage as many children as possible to take up this entitlement but parents may still opt to send in a packed lunch instead.
Free School Meals for Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Claim a Free School Meal...and Everyone Wins!
You save money and time!
Your child gets a tasty, nutritious meal!
Our school gets £1320 for every registered pupil!
Your child may be entitled to receive free school meals if you are entitled to receive one 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190
Applying is really easy - and totally confidential. Just complete the form below and return it to the school office.
If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 it is still important to complete this form because registering for free school meals could also raise extra funding from central government which can be used in the school to raise the attainment of pupils from lower income families and close the gap between them and their peers.
Even if you don’t want your child to receive a free meal we would still encourage you to register for free school meals so that the school receives as much funding as possible. To register for free school meals, including Pupil Premium, please complete the application form below and return it to the school office as soon as possible to avoid delay.
If you have any questions, just pop in and ask us!
You save money and time!
Your child gets a tasty, nutritious meal!
Our school gets £1320 for every registered pupil!
Your child may be entitled to receive free school meals if you are entitled to receive one 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190
Applying is really easy - and totally confidential. Just complete the form below and return it to the school office.
If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 it is still important to complete this form because registering for free school meals could also raise extra funding from central government which can be used in the school to raise the attainment of pupils from lower income families and close the gap between them and their peers.
Even if you don’t want your child to receive a free meal we would still encourage you to register for free school meals so that the school receives as much funding as possible. To register for free school meals, including Pupil Premium, please complete the application form below and return it to the school office as soon as possible to avoid delay.
If you have any questions, just pop in and ask us!
| Free School Meal and Pupil Premium Application form.pdf |
Healthy Packed Lunches
Eating a varied diet and drinking plenty of water can help children to learn by improving concentration and increasing energy levels. We are keen to provide parents and carers with guidance and ideas about how to create nutritious and healthy lunchboxes, which are also packed with food that children will want to eat.
Packed lunch menus:
http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/childrens-food-trust/parents/your-childs-food-at-school/packed-lunches/
Games to play and learn about healthy eating for children:
http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/Activity.aspx?siteId=14§ionId=61&contentId=56
Learning through stories:
http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/section.aspx?t=0&siteId=14§ionId=100
Please remember that we encourage children to drink water throughout the day, as this keeps them better hydrated and able to concentrate. Encourage your children to bring their water bottles into school, which they can refill after lunch and PE.
The Government have published their 'Eat well Guide' available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide
Buckingham Park Healthy Lunch Box Guide:
| BP healthy lunch box guide |
