School Meals

Free School Meals

Why is my free school meal so important?

For the children and young people, article 27 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, states that every young person has the right ‘to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development’. Good nourishment and nutrition are essential for children and young people to reach their full potential. No child or young person should go hungry, and school meals play a small part in helping to achieve this right.

The school meal contributes between a quarter and a third of daily dietary intake, with children and young people eligible for a FSM getting a higher percentage of their daily nutrients from a school meal. For those children and young people living in poverty, the school meal may be the only substantial meal of the day. Research has also found that packed lunches do not always meet the same nutritional standard as school meals

Results published by Leeds City Council show that a healthy school meal can increase achievement by up to 8% in Key Stage 2 Science and reduce absenteeism by 15%. We at Morley Victoria have a responsibility in supporting pupils to reach their full potential and meet academic outcomes. A child not eating anything for lunch at school, or choosing a meal of poor nutrition, really matters. Not only can this impact on their immediate health and cognitive functioning, but there are potential long term consequences of nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition or obesity.

Our school meals are compliant with the School Food Standards which includes ensuring that the available meal provides at least one portion of vegetables, a source of protein and a type of starchy food. A portion of fruit must also be available as part of the FSM for those children and young people who wish to eat it. This can often be made available as the pudding option.

Each school receives extra funding for Free School Meal pupils called “Pupil Premium”. Pupil Premium (PP) funding is allocated to support pupils who have been eligible for FSMs in the past 6 years. This cohort of pupils is often referred to as the ‘Ever 6’. The government gives primary schools an extra £1,320 per academic year, for each pupil in the ever 6 group to put in place interventions and additional support to narrow the attainment gap between those eligible to receive FSM and those not.

Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?

FSMs are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the
following benefits:
• Universal Credit (provided an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed
by earnings from up to three most recent assessment periods) See section 1.15 for further
information on Universal Credit
• 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 guarantee 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

If you think you may be eligible please let us know!

The number to contact Leeds City Council to confirm or apply for FSM is 0113 2224404

https://www.leeds.gov.uk/schools-and-education/apply-for-free-school-meals

School Meals

We pride ourselves in serving a high number of quality, nutritious school meals on a daily basis. School meals are cooked fresh, on site, every day. The children have three choices of meal on a daily basis. We have a flexible approach to meals, so the children can have a mixture of packed lunches and school meals over the course of a week, to meet the needs of family life.  School meals should be chosen and paid for in advance via our ParentPay system. Meals cost £2.55 for children in Years 3 to 6.  If you need your ParentPay log in details, please see the school office.

School Meals are FREE for Foundation and Key Stage One so we encourage all families to take advantage of our delicious, freshly prepared and home cooked school dinners!

Packed Lunches

We encourage packed lunches to be as healthy as possible. We discuss with the children the importance of having a range of food groups in a packed lunch including fresh fruit and vegetables. During the school year we will look at each other’s packed lunches and share healthy ideas about what to put in a healthy lunch box. We also encourage the children to think about making a healthy swap on some days (a couple of times a week), for example, swapping a packet of crisps for another piece of fruit or fresh vegetables.

Please note that, in order to promote healthy lifestyles, we do not allow fizzy drinks, cans, sweets and chocolates in a packed lunch box.

The children are also encouraged to bring a healthy snack to eat at break time.

Please click on the blue link to access ParentPay to book and pay for meals   www.parentpay.com

Water

We encourage all children in school to bring in a water bottle each day.  It is crucial that children stay hydrated so that they can concentrate well in lessons and stay focused.  We have water fountains in school so that the children can refill their bottles.  Please note that we would like our children to develop healthy habits and for this reason it is water only in water bottles – we talk to the children about the difference between water and juice so that they fully understand this rule.

Take a look at our up to date menus below for this term;

 Menu 19th Feb 2024 - 23 July 2024