Healthy Eating 

The school canteen along with the Executive Head Chef of West Norfolk Academies Trust are constantly  developing new and improved health conscious menus. 

The canteen offers a wide choice of products which are available at three sessions throughout the day; breakfast, break and lunch. In addition, there are vending machines located in the dining hall, dispensing a complete range of healthy snacks and refreshing beverages.

As a school we are always seeking to improve facilities and menus to enhance the students' dining experience. 

Food Hygiene

The Catering Manager and the team are proud that the kitchen  holds the five stars food hygiene rating issued by the local authority. Five is top of the scale, which means the hygiene standards are very good and fully comply with the law.

Opening Times 

Break: 11.00 - 11.20am

Lunch: 1.20 - 2.00pm

Menus 

Full details of the meals, snacks and drinks available on a daily basis can be found by clicking here.

These menus are reviewed at regular intervals and could be subject to change. 

Energy drinks are not permitted in school.  Students found to be drinking energy drinks will have them confiscated.

Food Allergy

In order to ensure the health and welfare of your child, we need to know if they have an allergy to any food, or if they are not allowed to eat any particular foods. If your child has any allergies, intolerances or cannot eat any foods due to a religious/cultural belief, please make sure you have told us in the Medical Information Section on your MCAS app.

Policies

When selecting produce and drawing up menus, the Catering Manager adheres to various policies regarding allergens and dietary requirements, ensuring all food produced is well-balanced and nutritional. 

For further information regarding these policies, please click on the links below:

• Allergen Policy
• Healthy Eating and Wellbeing Policy – Primary and Secondary Education
• Nut Policy

If you have any queries regarding these policies, then please do not hesitate to contact WNAT Deputy Operations Officer to discuss them: s.bowdery@wnat.co.uk

The school canteen along with the school Site Manager and the WNAT Operations Team are constantly looking to improve recycling.

At present:

• Food waste is collected in separate bins, according  to Government legislation from March 2025.
• All cardboard and paper waste is recycled.
• The school canteen along with the Site Manager, are looking into ways to reduce plastic waste, which is collected separately from general waste and food waste.

Is my child entitled to free school meals?

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, we are expanding FSM eligibility to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings.  Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits: 

• Universal Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:

• a claim for this support has been made
• their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority. 

Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds.

 

Targeted FSM

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less (the existing threshold for FSM prior to the expansion), will be eligible for targeted FSM. In addition to receiving free meals, pupils eligible for targeted FSM will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools.  Pupil premium and other disadvantage funding is currently allocated in respect of pupils who are recorded in school census returns as eligible for FSM, or have been recorded as eligible for FSM in the past 6 years (referred to as Ever 6 FSM). From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, Ever 6 FSM will be based on targeted FSM. This cohort is also used for accountability purposes.

 

Expanded FSM
Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to expanded FSM (meals only).

To apply for FSM, either follow this link or copy and paste it into your browser to fill out the online form or download the form below:

https://fiso.norfolk.gov.uk/synergy/Enquiries/Citizen/FreeSchoolMeals.aspx/Application

 

Note: Where a parent is entitled to working tax credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free school meals.

You do not need to provide proof of the benefit you receive with your application. Checks will be carried out against the records held by the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs and the Home Office to determine entitlement. If further information is required in support of your application, you will be contacted again.

Once entitlement has been assessed, children can continue to receive free school meals until the family stops receiving a qualifying benefit. Parents are required to inform the school or Norfolk County Council of any changes.

 

What exactly is meant by a family’s annual income when considering the criteria for free school meals and Child Tax Credit?

For the purposes of claiming free school meals, ‘annual income’ is defined in education legislation as being ‘income for the tax year calculated in accordance with the Tax Credits’ (Definition and calculation of Income) Regulations 2002. This is the calculation that the Inland Revenue performs as part of the process used to assess a family’s entitlement to tax credits.

Does my child's entitlement to free school meals continue if my child transfers to another school?

The entitlement to free school meals continues for children transferring between one school and another within the same Local Authority subject to parents/carers continuing to receive one of the qualifying benefits.

Parents of children transferring to schools outside of Norfolk should apply to the County Council where the school is situated.

Contact Us

Additional information and guidance can be obtained by contacting the school finance department or by telephoning Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020.

Download an application form

Free School Meal Application Form