Food in school
For ideas and support with food at home, have a look at the 'Food and feeding' section of our Get help page.
For the detail of how we approach food, read our Food Policy on Our policies page.
Jump to:
Food management and allergies
Hygiene
Staff who prepare food have at least Level 1 Food Hygiene Certificate. Our Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating is 4.
Cooking
Small groups cook regularly as part of the curriculum.
Allergies
We display photos of children with allergies explaining the allergy, the foods which can and can’t be eaten, the symptoms of an allergic reaction, the treatment required and any precautions that need to be taken during activities involving food e.g. craft/messy play. Lunch menus are agreed in advance, the ingredients are cross-checked against the list of allergies that children on roll have and appropriate action is taken to keep them safe.
Nuts in particular
Both our schools are totally nut-free. People who suffer from nut allergies can develop a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
If someone has a nut allergy it is not just eating nuts that can cause a severe reaction: just being touched on the skin or smelling the breath of someone who has had nuts or a product containing nuts can trigger anaphylactic shock (which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties). First aid staff in the school are trained to use Epi-pens (an injection of adrenalin) which is required immediately if this reaction happens.
We cannot have nuts in school in any form, so please don't bring in nut products when you pick up your child, in packed lunches, or if you bring in treats for a birthday or other celebration. Nut products include:
- peanut butter or other nut butter sandwiches
- chocolate spreads, including the well-known one...
- some cereal bars
- some granola bars
- cakes that contain nuts
- biscuits / cookies that contain nuts
- peanut or hazelnut sweets
- savoury foods such as satay
- sauces that contain nuts
This list is not exhaustive, so please check the packaging of products closely.
We appreciate that this is an additional thing to check and we know that you recognise the importance of it. We know that if this was your child you would expect that we all help, especially as it is a life-threatening condition.
Particular meals
Meal times are a social event, where children and staff can talk about their interests, what they do at nursery and at home, and share enjoyment of the food available. We appreciate any information and advice parents can give about their children’s eating preferences and we will help them to try a wider range of food than they may have previously been used to.
Snack table
During every session we offer a variety of vegetarian healthy snacks for children to choose from — raw vegetables, cereals and fruit, water and milk. This is paid for by School Fund and our Milk grant. We do not offer any snacks containing nuts, gelatine, or other animal products.
Lunch at Low Hall
Children who stay for longer days at Low Hall bring a packed lunch. These must be nut-free. Please label the bag, and drop them into the kitchen as you arrive in the morning.
If you need ideas for packed lunches, have a look at the recipes on the Association of British Dieticians website.
Tea
Tea is prepared in our kitchens.
Playscheme
Food is prepared in our kitchens. When children bring in packed lunches, we periodically assess the contents and where appropriate, encourage parents to send in healthier options.
