Hot School Meals

 

 

 

We are delighted to be able to provide children with hot school meals at lunchtime, which we introduced in Spring 2008. We have provided the following information to parents in order that they can decide whether to opt for this service for their child(ren).

 

 

Background information

• Government initiative for all schools to provide hot school meal by 2010

• Healthy schools Award - desire to provide nutritious healthy food that is an

alternative to packed lunches.

• Parental response on biannual survey showed that parents were keen to access

this provision. This was reinforced with the results of the survey before Christmas.

 

Provider

The 'Food for Thought’ company has been providing hot meals to several schools around High Wycombe, where the company is based. They collect their produce from markets each day in the early morning and food is then prepared. The company have set up a kitchen at the Grange School where food will be prepared and then transported by van. The food will be kept in a heated cupboard at school before being served.

 

It is ‘proper’ food. Food is prepared daily. It is well presented, has the right texture and taste for homemade cooking. The salad is fresh and crisp.

 

Cost

The current cost is £2.15 per meal, or £2.05 per meal if booked all school week (i.e. 5 days).

 

Ordering

To start the meals, parents will be sent a sheet of the 3 weeks of menus and an order form. Just tick the days your child wishes to have hot school meals and enclose the relevant money in an envelope named with your child’s name and class. The envelope can be taken to the school office – either from the classroom or to the office directly. Each child in the family will need their own order form. Where a child specifically wants a vegetarian meal they will be able to indicate this on the form.

 

In the office the orders for each class will be recorded and the monies checked and recorded. Each class will have its own record form and copies of this will be put in the class register so staff and children can access the data. A copy will be available for the lunch staff too.

The order form will be sent out at the end of week 1 on the menu to be returned by the end of week 2. This timetable will take place every 3 weeks. The menu sheet will be available on the website if an additional copy is needed. Each day the school will phone through the numbers for the day. We will be charged for what we order on the day. This means that if a child is not at school, but the school is informed by 9.15 am a meal will not be ordered and a credit for the meal will be given.

 

Serving

There will be two tables in the hall by the ACSA kitchen. The food will be served from here. There will also be a ‘waste’ table for plates to be returned too. The infants will come straight in. Sandwiches will sit down and dinners line up, get their main course sit down and then go up to the other table for their dessert. Water and cups will be available on tables.

 

The juniors will have a rota where each class takes its turn being 1st,2nd,3rd,4th and 5th over the week. Class one will go in immediately at 12.15. All the other children will go outside with the 2 Midday supervisors. Timings will need some work, but to begin with the next class will be sent in every 5 minutes for lunch. This will mean the last class in will only be in the hall 5 minutes later than they currently go in. Again they will go up to the table after finishing their main course to get their dessert. Bread and salad will be available on the main course table.

Every child will be expected to take their own plate, bowl, cutlery and cup to the ‘waste’ table.

 

Seating

The children will be able to sit next to their friends regardless of which type of lunch they have. We hope this will be able to continue as it will encourage some children to try hot meals if they see their friends eating them. Juniors will fill in the back tables first so that the last sittings in will use the tables nearest the serving area.

 

The tables for the junior children have been rearranged to make more space between them. This should make it easier to walk to a table carrying food and reduce the chance of tripping over a chair leg.

 

Lunchtime Clubs

Any junior child who attends a lunchtime club will be able to see the relevant teacher and receive a ‘Privilege Pass’. This will enable them to go into lunch at 12.15 even if this not their classes sitting time. Most classes do not begin to 12.30 at the earliest and this will enable the children to eat before they go to their club.

 

Order Form & Menu

These documents* are available to download below.

 

*saved in PDF format - click here for more info.