Meals

Dinner money is collected by class teachers on Monday morning for the week. If you are unsure of which days your child will require a cooked dinner, simply send money for the number of days and they can order them as required. This is essential for school security so that all money can be banked on Monday morning. It is preferable for parents to use the online payment system and log on details can be provided on request from the office.

It is extremely important that money is sent in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the following:

child’s name
class
which days they require a meal (if known)
£3 per day, from Monday 5th June 2023

We would strongly advise that all money is sent using our Internet Payment system (there is a link on our home page) or in the form of a cheque (made payable to either ‘Shamblehurst Primary School’ or ‘HCC’) as it is far easier to clarify any discrepancies in payments. Under no circumstances should dinner money be outstanding for longer than 24 hours and, should debts persist, we will regrettably be unable to provide further meals.

Your school lunches are provided by CleverChefs

We understand that the first few years of eating at school can play a huge part in shaping a child’s relationship with food. Starting out in the right way, seeing healthy fresh food as the norm is so positive for their future eating habits.

We are on a mission to provide food that children want to engage with and most of all enjoy, encouraging our young students to try new foods and enjoy the vibrancy of different textures and tastes from across international cuisines.

We are also realistic in what we provide for our young customers, it has to be recognisable, so where we can make food that naturally appeals better for them we will, like using wholemeal pasta & wholemeal flour in our bread, reducing sugar in our bakes and fortifying sauces with vegetables. All of our primary schools use 95% fresh produce, pretty much everything except peas is fresh in our kitchens.

CleverChefs

Want to know more about CleverChefs?

Click on this web link: Primary Schools | Cleverchefs

Clever Food Hub link: Clever Food Hub_Seasonal Showcase

CleverChef Allergy Hub link: ALLERGENS | Cleverchefs

From September 2014, the national arrangements for children in KS1 (Year R to Year 2) changed so that all children in those years groups are entitled to a free hot meal each day.

However, in KS2 (Year 3 to Year 6) children are only entitled to a free school meal if they fulfil certain criteria. Please follow the link below for more details of the eligibility of children to receive free school meals. As well as the hot dinner, children are then recognised as being ‘Pupil Premium’ and the school receives additional funding to support their learning and development. More information can be found on this on the Pupil Premium page of the website under Performance.

Some parents nationally are concerned that there might be a stigma to their child for receiving free school meals. We would seek to reassure you that this is not the case and that we make sure that the children do not know the status of their dinners – they simply make their lunch choice in the mornings in the same way as every other child. We would encourage you to investigate if your child is eligible for free meals, and the Pupil Premium funding that comes with this.

To register or for more information, visit: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals/juniorsecondary

Alternatively, you are able to complete a Free School Meals application form, which can be found in the letter rack in the office reception area. Our Senior Admin Assistant will be able to check your eligibility for you.

If your child prefers to bring a packed lunch, please ensure that boxes/bags are clearly named. Remember that we are a ‘Healthy School’. Glass bottles, fizzy drinks and sweets are not allowed in school for health and safety reasons. We also are a ‘Nut Free School’.

Your child may come home with a ‘healthy food’ sticker given to them by lunchtime staff. This is to encourage the children to eat fruit or vegetables. Please support us by providing something suitable for them in their lunch box or by encouraging them to eat vegetables with hot meals.

Dinner Money

CleverChefs

Free School Meals

Sandwiches