Lunch with Fresha Catering!

Our supplier, Fresha’s school meals provision, is based on the objectives of giving school children the opportunity to enjoy a healthy, nutritious and tasty lunchtime meal, whilst meeting the rigorous requirements of the School Food Plan.     

Since the launch of the plan, healthy eating school food standards have become mandatory in maintained schools, new academies and free schools, setting out minimum legal requirements for all food and drink served in schools to ensure children eat healthier food. 

Ofsted has stated it will be working with the School Food Plan team to ensure its inspectors are trained and able to check that healthy eating guidelines are being adhered to. It is more important than ever that schools achieve these standards – and that’s where our supplier Fresha comes in.  
 

Fresha takes the pressure off the school, preparing fresh, nourishing meals daily at the school kitchen or in our own Exeter kitchens, using locally sourced ingredients that meet the required Government's school food standards.

While Fresha is absolutely committed to the requirements of the Food School Plan and the need for the right nutritional balance, they don’t compromise on flavour or tempting presentation. After all, children can be the fussiest of customers; they know what they like and Fresha want them to enjoy what they make for them. A well-fed child is a happy child and one that will be more eager to learn.
 

Fresha are already making and delivering school meals to a number of schools in the region, working in close partnership with them to design outstanding menus. 

Their aim is to ensure that every student not only has the opportunity to enjoy a healthy lunchtime meal, but also takes an interest in the food they are eating. We think they are great and with them, mealtimes will be an occasion to serve each other and talk about our day. 

Check out the menu below and make your choices by clicking on the following link:

Free School Meals.   

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals in conjunction with the Universal Free School Meals Scheme. However, we are potentially missing out on extra funding available for those children and children in year 3 onwards if eligible parents have not registered for free school meals. 

So if you think your child may be entitled to free school meals and you are in receipt of the following, please register for free school meals as this can help our school to attract additional ‘pupil premium‘ funding.  You could help us raise an extra £1,320 per eligible child which would enable us to provide valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after school activities.

• 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 receive any of the above benefits in their own right (i.e. they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals.

How to apply

You can apply for free school meals using Devon County Council's Citizen Portal. which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ybvhzqtr.   If you are unable to apply online you can complete an application and email it to freeshcoolmeals@devon.gov.uk.  Alternatively, you can post your application to FSM Team, Room L102, County Hall, Exeter, EX2 4QD.  Forms are also available at the school office.

Parents and carers can also ring the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.

Meals and payments in Key Stage 2

Pupils will not be provided with a school meal unless it is booked and paid for in advance, except those confirmed as entitled to free school meals. The school is only allowed to provide free school meals to pupils where this is officially approved and informed in writing by the Local Authority.

Schools meals cost £2.40, rising to £2.45 in June 2023 and then £2.50 in September 2023. School meals must be paid for in advance on booking. Bookings must be made using School Gateway by midnight on the Wednesday of the week before the date booking for.

If debts are incurred, then the school budget has to pay for them. This means that money which should be spent on all pupils' education in school is used to pay for debts incurred by individual parents / carers. 

What if my child is absent on a day a meal has been booked for?

If your child is unwell, you must call the school on 01392 790151 before 8.45am to report their absence. The office staff will then check if a meal has been booked and cancel this on the system. The payment will be credited to the account for future use. Parents/Carers must call each day of the absence in order for the credit to be applied. 

Failure to report an absence or reports after 8.45am will not be credited as the meals will already be being prepared at that time.