Snacks and School Meals
St. Catherine's R.C. Primary School is part of Manchester Healthy Schools.
- We are nut free school . This is to safeguard children with severe allergies.
- Water bottles should be brought into class so the children can stay hydrated throughout the day - plain, unflavoured water in a reusable bottle.
- Children in Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 do not need to bring snacks into school as they are given fruit or vegetables each day as part of the Free Fruit for Schools Scheme.
- Children in Key Stage 2 can bring in a healthy snack - fruit, vegetables or breadsticks (no fruit bars, fruit winders or cereal bars).
- Birthdays and celebrations: please do not send children into school with sweets or cakes. A game or book for the class would be greatly appreciated instead if you wish to make a donation.
- Packed lunches should also be healthy - no sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks.
Our school meals are prepared at St. John's Primary School, Heaton Mersey, by Dolce.
These follow the nutritional guidelines.
If any child requires a special diet, please phone the school office and ask to be put through to the kitchen. A doctors note will be required for any allergies.
All children at school in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal.
Please Note: If your child is an infant and you qualify for Free School Meals anyway (see below), you still need to complete a claim form so that your child is counted for extra money for their school (the pupil premium). If you are unsure then please ask, in confidence, at the school office.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of State 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 - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
Children who get any of the above benefits in their own right (ie they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals.
Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be able to get free school meals.
If you think your child is entitled to free school meals, you’ll usually need to fill in an application form you can get from your local council. Give your completed application to your child’s school and make sure you can show documentary proof of any support you get.