All children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal every day. This happens automatically, there is no need for parents/carers to request meals, children should simply indicate that they require a school meal at morning registration.
For all other children, meals cost £2.50 per day and should be paid for through MyChildAtSchool (MCAS). Children may be eligible for Free School Meals if parents/carers are in receipt of certain benefits. For further information please refer to the Free School Meals section below.
Our meals are provided by Cucina.
Free School Meals
Whilst all children in Years EYFS ,1 and 2 will be offered a free healthy school lunch, children in Years 3 to 6 may also be entitled to receive them if you are entitled to one of the following;
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child tax credit with an annual gross income into the household that is no more than £16,190, provided you are not entitled to working tax credit. If you are entitled to any part of working tax credit there is no eligibility with the exception of working tax run-on as shown below
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
If you are in receipt of any of the above (regardless of whether your child is in Years R to 2) registering for free meals could raise an extra £1,300 for our school, to fund valuable support, such as additional teaching staff and after school activities.
You only need to register once and it will last for the duration of your child’s time at Paddock Wood Primary Academy. You can register on the Kent County Council website here. If you need any assistance with registration, or do not have the technology at home to do so, please speak to the school office or use the iPad in the entrance area outside the office.
Healthy Snacks
We are pleased to be part of the Government Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Children are provided with a free piece of fruit or a healthy snack to eat at mid morning break in EYFS, Years 1 and 2. Children in Year 3 and above may bring in a piece of fruit or a healthy snack for morning break. We do not allow snacks such as crisps, biscuits, sweets, cakes or chocolate. Please provide items such as a piece of fruit, vegetable or cheese.
Water
We encourage the children to have regular drinks of water throughout the day. The Friends of Paddock Wood Primary Academy kindly provide a clear plastic sports style drinking bottle. The children need to take this bottle home each day so that it can be returned with fresh water. Replacement water bottles are available from the school office at a charge of £1.15 or 2 for £1 for replacement lids.