HBC School Meals
Dinner money, for the full week, must be sent to school in the envelope provided, on the first day of each school week (no late payments please). Parents are asked to send in the correct money; when a child is due a credit because of absence, please adjust the following week.
A free meal is provided to children whose parents are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. Parents need to complete form FSM 1 which is available from school or the Civic Centre (Tel 266522) and send it to the Department of Social Security/Employment Services. If this form is not completed, you will be charged for meals. Every effort is made to ensure children receiving free school meals cannot be distinguished from other children.
Children may bring a packed lunch to school. Water is available for every child and children are encouraged to drink water rather than bottled drinks. All children are asked to provide a water bottle which they can fill with filtered, chilled water from a machine.
If parents wish to change from packed lunch to school lunches or vice versa, they need to give notice to a member of the school office staff. Children will then be able to change at the beginning of the next half term. Please do not change without first consulting the office staff or the Headteacher.
Could you be eligible for free school meals?
From September 2026 all children from households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal. This change has been introduced through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. There will now be two categories of Free School Meals: 1) Targeted FSM - for families receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. These pupils will continue to receive a free school meal and will also receive other benefits within school 2) Expanded FSM - for families receiving Universal Credit with household earnings above £7,400. These pupils will be entitled to a free school meal only. We strongly urge parents to apply, if you meet the criteria above: apply for Free School Meals
The government have also confirmed that transitional protections will no longer apply from September 2026. This means families will need to continue meeting eligibility criteria, each academic year to be eligible for free school meals. All families must check eligibility annually from September 2026. You can check eligibility using the link above.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are eligible to Universal Free School Meals.