In our school we are committed to giving our pupils consistent messages about all aspects of health to help them understand the impact of particular behaviours and encourage them to take responsibility for the choices they make. Through effective leadership, the school ethos and the personal, social and health education curriculum we are able to bring together many elements of the school day to create an environment which supports a healthy lifestyle.
 
We encourage children to eat a range of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle, which has been shown to reduce the onset of certain life-threatening conditions as well as being helpful in tackling and preventing childhood obesity. Children in Year R, 1 and 2 receive a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable each day as a break time snack, which is funded by the government. Children in Key Stage 2 are invited to bring their own healthy fruit or vegetable snack in a named bag or box to eat at break time if they wish.

Children have the option of having a packed lunch or a hot school meal. All our hot school meals are provided by Caterlink a contracted caterer who has a healthy food policy as part of their tender. Where possible, this includes the use of fresh fruit and vegetables each day as a choice for the children. They provide a hot and cold option, both of which pay regard to nutritional balance and healthy options. Hot school meals must be ordered at least two weeks in advance. If you would like to order hot school meals for your child please book via your Arbor account.

The lunchtime experience is every bit an important part of the children’s day as time spent in the classroom. If you would prefer your child to bring packed lunch to school, we ask that the contents of lunchboxes do contain sweets, chocolate bars or fizzy drinks.

We currently have pupils and members of staff who suffer with food allergies and we therefore have a duty under the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 and guidance from the Department for Education to reduce the risk of exposure for these individuals. We provide a separate area in the hall for children with food allergies to sit with friends who do not have food items that might trigger an allergic reaction. School will update parents regularly if there is a specific issue to be aware of. If your child has a food allergy, please inform the office straight away so that an allergy action plan and risk assessment can be completed. Please refer to our Allergy Safety Policy for further details.

We ask that every child is sent into school each day with a named water bottle so that they can be encouraged to drink and refill regularly throughout the school day. Squash and fizzy drinks are not permitted in the classroom, however a small carton of fruit juice or squash can be included as part of a packed lunch. 
 
All our under-fives are entitled to free milk which is organised by the school. Please request further information from the school office.
 
The partnership of home and school is critical in shaping how children and young people behave, particularly where health is concerned. Each must reinforce the other.

Free School Meals - Important Information
If you are in receipt of benefits, your child may be eligible for Free School Meals. Please see the section on Pupil Premium and Free School Meals. 

Further links:

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/