CLICK HERE for DfE Guidance on the standards for planning and providing food in schools.
CLICK HERE for DfE Guidance School food standards practical guide
School Meals
Menu One - weeks commencing: 2nd June, 23rd June, 14th July, 3rd September, 22nd September and 13th October
Menu Two - weeks commencing: 9th June, 30th June, 21st July, 8th September, 29th September and 20th October
Menu Three - week commencing: 16th June, 7th July, 15th September and 6th October
School Meals Guidance (including Free School Meals guidance)
Infant free school meals in England
Your child will be able to get free school meals if they’re in a government-funded school and in:
- Reception class
- year 1
- year 2
Tell your school if you also get any of the qualifying benefits. Your child’s school can get extra funding if you do. Alternatively, you can check yourself: https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/ and if eligible please pass the ‘eligibility certificate to the school’.
Key Stage Two (Year 3 to Year 6)
In Key Stage 2, pupils are not entitled to ‘Infant Free School Meals’. However, parents may meet criteria that enables their child to continue to receive free school meals. The school office will be more than happy to guide and assist you in this checking process. Alternatively, you can check yourself: https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/ and if eligible please pass the ‘eligibility certificate to the school’.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of 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 - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
For those pupils that are not entitled to free school meals:
- School meals cost =£2.50 a day (price from September 2025) (£2.30 up to end of July 2025)
- School meals should be paid for in advance, weekly or half-termly. Weekly = £12.50 (price from September 2025) (£11.50 up to end of July 2025)
- Lunch money should be paid in advance on a Monday morning. If you wish your child to take a meal on an ad hoc basis we suggest you send in £12.50 (price from September 2025) which will be credited to their account and would enable them to take a lunch on 5 occasions.
Methods of payment outlined below:
- Online Using IRIS ParentMail (see the attached IRIS ParentMail explanation poster)
- Cash on a Monday, in an envelope clearly stating child’s name, class and cash amount.
- We accept cheques made payable to: Coopersale & Theydon Garnon CE Primary School (Please state clearly on envelope your child’s name and class.)
Take a look at our school meals menus (3-weekly rolling program), found on our school website: https://www.coopersaletheydongarnon.essex.sch.uk/parents-pupils/school-meals