Primary education information for parents School meals and milk

Published: 2 September 2024

Edsential Catering Services provides over 20,000 meals daily to most primary and all special schools in Wirral and is dedicated to maintaining high quality, balanced, healthy, nutritious foods to pupils complying with all legislative requirements. There is a choice of main courses every day, including a vegetarian option. A ‘help yourself’ salad bar is provided alongside all main courses.

You can get more information on School Meals from Edsential Catering Services Helpdesk on 0151 541 2170 who will be pleased to advise you and provide sample menus.

Why eat school meals?

Your child will receive:

  • A healthy, high quality nutritionally balanced meal daily.
  • Traditionally cooked and freshly prepared by fully trained staff.
  • Children are encouraged to try a variety of different foods.
  • School meals are great value for money and save you time in the morning!
  • Eating together makes lunchtime fun and enjoyable and improves children’s social skills.

Free School Meals – Infant children

All infant pupils (Foundation 2, Year 1 and Year 2) in government funded schools in England are eligible for a free school meal; this is not compulsory. The aim is to improve academic attainment and save families money – over the course of a year the average family spends £437 on school lunches per child.

In areas where free school meals have been provided, the Department for Education says that:

  • pupils were found to be on average 2 months ahead of their peers elsewhere.
  • around 2% more children reached target levels in Maths and English at Key Stage 1.
  • academic improvements were most marked among children from less affluent families.
  • there was a 23% increase in the number of children eating vegetables at lunch and an 18% drop in those eating crisps.

For more information about this national scheme, visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Free School Meals – low income families

Free school meals are also available to children if their parent or guardian is in receipt of Income Support OR Universal Credit OR Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance OR Employment and Support Allowance Income Related OR Guaranteed Pension Credit OR Child Tax Credit with a total annual income of LESS than £16,190 but NOT receiving Working Tax Credit.

Schools provide third pint cartons of semi-skimmed/fluoride milk for pupils, which are provided free to pupils who receive a free school meal, or can be bought by other parents.

There is now a new way to claim free school meals for children. To claim free school meals contact your child’s school to sign up to the free online system.

Healthy eating for life

Eating well is always important for children to perform at their best, whether it’s for lessons, doing homework, sport or hobbies.

  • Have a healthy breakfast – This gives children the energy they need to be alert and more able to concentrate. Wholegrain bread or cereals keep children going for longer as they release energy more slowly. Fresh fruit juice provides vitamins. Ask your school if they have a breakfast club!
  • Drink more water – Water keeps children alert and active and is better than soft drinks, which tend to be full of sugar.
  • Have a school lunch – A healthy lunch helps children concentrate in the afternoons.
  • Fish – Oily fish is good for everyone’s heart, and it’s a good source of protein. Try and eat fish at least twice a week.
  • Don’t skip meals – Children will be tired and find it harder to concentrate.
  • Healthy snacks – Children may love sweets, crisps and biscuits, but fresh and dried fruit and unsalted nuts will keep them fuller for longer.

If your child will take packed lunches to school, the NHS have produced some tips and suggestions for a healthy packed lunch on the change4life webpages.