School Meals 

In house Catering

Catering at Mead Vale is now in-house. Our school meals are cooked fresh on the premises in our canteen.

From September 2026, A school meal is priced at £2.70 per day/per child for those not in receipt of Free School Meals.  

There will be a meat choice, a vegetarian choice, jacket potatoes sandwiches and hot pasta choice. Parents are able to book and pay for meals directly with School Grid. 

If your child has a special dietary need such as an intolerance, allergy or avoidance please look over the guidance in the links below. 

All pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are able to have a 'Universal Free School Meal' at lunchtime. This offer does not depend on your household income or whether you receive any benefits- every child in these classes is eligible to take up this offer.

Drinks Bottles

Children need to bring in a water bottle every day filled with water. 

Packed Lunches

Children may also bring a packed lunch but no glass containers. We ask that parents do not include nut products in packed lunches as we have children in school with nut allergies.

Free school meals

The Department for Education (DfE) is introducing changes to the national free school meals (FSM) eligibility criteria from September.

All families currently entitled to FSM must reapply to continue receiving the benefit in September, as transitional protections* will end at the end of this school year (July 2026).

Also, the DfE are expanding FSM eligibility so many more families may now be eligible. We are therefore asking ALL parents and carers to apply over the summer.

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they will receive a free school meal

through the universal infant free school meals scheme. However, we still need you to apply as it can help the school receive additional funding to support pupils.

What you need to do

All families are requested to check eligibility by 1 September 2026, please use this link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/pp-extendlearning/     

It is important that you apply, as this will enable the school to receive additional funding that provides extra support and benefit to children.

Milk

Children will receive free milk, a third pint carton up to their 5th birthday. Children over the age of 5 can receive milk in one of two ways:

If they are entitled to free school meals (not universal free school meals) milk can be provided free of charge throughout their time at school. Please contact the school office if your child is entitled to free school meals and would like to receive milk.

If children are not free school meal eligible, an opportunity to continue receiving milk beyond their fifth birthday is available at a cost. Please arrange this with the school office or telephone the School Milk Service on 01934510950 or visit www.schoolmilkservices.co.uk/parent