School Dinners

CaterCater

We are delighted to introduce you to our school caterers - CaterCater!

CaterCater, based in Highnam (only 18 miles away!) are renowned for serving fresh food that is ethical, sustainable, locally sourced, free from additives and meets School Food Standards in Herefordshire. And.... they're tasty and fun to boot! The established company of 15 years, offers homemade child friendly meals, using only the best fresh local produce, a varied and nutritious menu and the ability to cater for all dietary requirements. 

CaterCater will be support us with school dinners, special events and meals (such as Harvest and Christmas lunch) and special breakfasts like our World Book Day mornings.

Meals are served by Amanda, our Catering Assistant. Amanda has worked in kitchens for many years, and has become a much loved member of our lunchtime team. 

School dinners are free for all children in Key Stage 1 (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) and just £2.30 per meal for children in Key Stage 2 and our Pre-School. To book, simply order your chosen meals on Teachers2Parents app. 

Universal Free School Meals

We are excited to confirm that all children in Key Stage 1 (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) receive a free school dinner every day. In 2014, the government launched the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme. Under this, you are able to choose your child’s dinners every day at absolutely no cost to yourself.

We usually have a very high uptake of school dinners at St Mary’s, and have found that they are a fantastic way to encourage children to try a variety of foods – and they’re convenient and free for parents too! If a child has a dinner they do not enjoy, the School Office will send you an email to confirm this.

You are able to book your child’s school dinner online, using ParentPay. Bookings can be made up until midnight on Sunday the week before, however we cannot make amendments on the day. Many parents, especially those in Key Stage 1, tend to order their meals a month or a term in advance as it is free. 

Packed Lunches

If you decide to provide a packed lunch instead of having school dinners, please ensure that this is brought into school in a labelled and secure container. Please note that we do not have facilities for refrigerating packed lunches. We ask that packed lunches are healthy e.g. sandwiches, pasta, rice and fruit. Wrappers and packaging are sent home with your child so that you are aware of how much they have eaten that day and to help us minimise waste.

Snacks

Children will be able to enjoy a healthy snack brought from home and a bottle of chilled milk (free until your child turns 5, and then orderable after this point) before morning play. Please do not send in crisps, chocolate, biscuits etc. We also have free fruit available each day, which children can help themselves to. This changes daily, but is usually a variety of apples, pears, bananas, satsumas, raisins etc.

Drinks

All children must bring a water bottle to school with them, chilled water fountains are available throughout the day to refill these and children are encouraged to do so, especially during warm weather. Please be advised that only water is permissible during the school day, children cannot bring squash, cordial or fruit juices into school with them. We have found that even children who typically do not enjoy plain water adjust very quickly to this.