School meals remain £3.20. YR to Y2 will continue to receive a free meal from the government universal meal offer.

Dear Parent/Carer, 

We are writing to let you know about important changes to the government’s Free School Meals (FSM) policy, following updated guidance published on 5th June 2025.

Any pupil who became eligible for FSM on or after 1 April 2018 will continue to receive FSM until at least July 2026, regardless of any changes in household income or benefit status.

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year (September 2026), new eligibility criteria will apply.

All children from households receiving Universal Credit will be automatically entitled to FSM. The current income threshold of £7,400 per year will be removed.

If your child is not currently registered for FSM:
Please check the current eligibility criteria and apply if you think your child may be entitled.

How to apply:

• • Visit our website using the link provided. Applying for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium | Ash Grange Primary School
  • Visit the school office for a paper copy.

Lunch Arrangements

For children attending school or all day in our Nursery classes, we have catered meals available.  There is a choice of meat or vegetarian option and in addition an extra option of a jacket potato or pasta meal. The extra option changes at different times of year. The children are asked for their views of meal choices at various times and vote on changes through whole school and Pupil Council meetings.  There is a daily desert with each meal. 

Families are encouraged to make meal choices at home so families aware of meal choices.  If a choice hasn't been made it will happen during morning registration. Meals for Nursery 1 and 2 and Years 3-6 children are paid for online through Scopay - pay online, meals must be paid for in advance.

All Reception and Key Stage 1 aged children (Year 1 and Year 2) are provided with a universal free school meal from the government and therefore you do not need to provide food from home for your child.

Nursery, Year 3 to Year 6 can buy a school meal for £3.20 per meal or bring in a packed lunch.

Many families are entitled to a Free School Meal, which we encourage all families to apply for if they meet the criteria below; this covers most of the meal cost and also brings additional funding to the school.

Parent and Child Lunches

These are held termly see the Calendar for dates then book a place.

Packed lunch

Provision is made for children who bring packed lunches to school.

A packed lunch needs to be:

• A balanced healthy meal -
  • Part 1 - Meal e.g. sandwiches, wraps, rice based, pasta based 
  • Part 2 - Sweet part - fruit, yogurt, cake, cereal bar, biscuits etc..
  • Additional items - fruit and veg
  • Drink - not sugar based or carbonated

• Crisps/crackers etc... optional
• No chocolate bars or sweets
• No nut products are allowed to keep safe those with a nut allergy.

Children staying for packed lunch should have a labelled container for their balanced meal and drink. Uneaten food is returned home so parents can monitor what is being eaten.   

If children have unacceptable item, they will be left uneaten and returned home.

Here is a great link for lunchbox ideas

For those parents who wish to take their child home for lunch, collection is at 12 noon and return to school at 12.55pm, so that the child is in time for afternoon lessons.