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The Local Authority prides itself in providing a good range of healthy and nutritious meals to fulfil the nutritional requirements of growing and developing children, and in preparing them to be the next generation of healthier young adults of the future. We offer healthy, nutritious menus consisting of a balanced two-course meal daily. Our menus are analysed by the Welsh Local Government Association and are certified compliant with The Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013.
Menus are planned to incorporate both freshly cooked food and promoting healthy eating objectives including increasing fibre, and reducing fat, sugar and salt. All meals are freshly prepared daily on site. In addition, we prioritise cooking methods such as steaming and oven baking to ensure nutrients are retained, and texture and taste enhanced. Our menu is run on a 3-week rotational cycle with a strong focus on fresh fruit, vegetables and salad, and with new menus being introduced twice a year. Several themed days are arranged throughout the year. We are fully inclusive, catering for all pupils, including those with medically prescribed diets and those opting for alternative diets for religious and/or cultural reasons. If your child requires an alternative menu, a member of the catering team will meet with the dietitian, parents and cook to discuss and arrange alternative meal choices.
Our whole school approach involves:
- Prioritising nutritious food containing high quality, fresh and unprocessed ingredients
- Making continual improvements to menus so that pupils eat healthy and tasty meals
- Developing supply networks that assist local producers in supplying local schools
- Bringing about an awareness amongst primary school children about the importance of a healthy diet, creating good habits for life
- Raising the profile of food and nutrition within the curriculum
- Assisting catering staff in fulfilling their roles as “health workers in disguise”
- Making it easier for teaching staff to make learning about nutrition “fun” and involving parents and school governors in the process.
For further information, please contact the School Catering Department on 01633 644156.
School Meal Charges
All primary school children in Wales can now access Universal Primary Free School Meals.
Payment for meals in secondary schools should be made directly to the school on a weekly basis or termly in advance. In line with the Authority’s financial instructions, a maximum of 5 credit meals may be granted per pupil, and parents will receive letters advising them of any monies owed. Once this credit has been breached, parents will be required to make their own arrangements to provide their child with a lunchtime meal until the debt levels have been cleared.
Free School Meals
Who qualifies? Pupils will qualify if parents / carers are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that does not exceed £16,190.
- • Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
- Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
- • Universal Credit – with annual earnings of less than £7,400, or £616.67 monthly.