Lunches

Through our curriculum and awareness days, we try to encourage children to lead healthy lifestyles and to help them to understand the importance of a balanced diet and sufficient exercise. School leaders and governors are committed to encouraging the children to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables during their school week in order to support parents ensure a better diet for their children.

To ensure the wellbeing of children and staff, we have a no nut policy in school.

All children at Thorncombe St Mary’s can benefit from school lunches freshly prepared at Axminster Primary Academy. Our Acorn MAT kitchen is committed to providing a balanced menu following the ‘Fresh Start’ scheme, a national initiative that guarantees a good quality balanced meal using freshly prepared ingredients sourced locally wherever possible.

• At least 75% of dishes are freshly prepared
• Meat is farm assured and eggs are from cage free hens
• Menus are seasonal and in-season food is highlighted
• All dietary needs are catered for
• No undesirable additives and hydrogenated fats are used

School meals cost £2.50 per day and should be paid for in advance via Parent Pay, Menus are sent home at the start of each term. Children can bring their own packed lunches if they are not choosing a school meal on a particular day.

From September 2014 all children in Reception and KS1 are entitled to a Free School Meal.

We encourage all parents who are eligible for the following benefits to apply for Free School Meals even if they are in Reception or KS1. This is because the school receives extra income, currently £1345 per year, which we use to provide additional support for your child. Details of how to apply for free school meals in Dorset can be found by clicking here, or by ringing 01305 221 000.

You can register for Free School Meals if you get any of these benefits:

• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual taxable income that does not exceed £16,190
• Income-Based Job Seekers’ Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are also entitled to free school meals.

Please see the Pupil Premium page for more information on the benefits of receiving Free School Meals.

Children are expected to bring a water bottle to use in school and encourage them to drink water regularly. Drinking water is known to promote healthy bodies and alert minds.

Children in Foundation and Key Stage One are provided with a piece of fruit each day, funded by the National Health Service. Older children are encouraged to bring fruit or vegetables (carrot, celery etc) to eat during morning play (NOT biscuits, crisps or chocolate) Please support us in these efforts to develop healthy eating habits.

There is a wealth of evidence now about the effect of food on children’s behaviour and concentration. We therefore ask you to please consider carefully what you provide for your child each day if they bring a packed lunch. Sweets are not allowed, but we also discourage chocolate bars and an over-reliance on processed snacks. Sandwiches and fresh fruit are ideal, providing the right kind of energy for your child to make the most of their afternoon in school.