School Meals

Welcome from North Tyneside Council Catering Services

North Tyneside Council Catering Services provide the school meals service in your school.  We specialise in freshly prepared school meals to ensure your child receives

a highly nutritious meal every day to encourage healthy eating habits from an early age. Research show a child’s capacity to learn improves if they are properly

nourished throughout the day.

Menus

We aim to provide healthy, well-balanced menus that pupils will enjoy.

All meals are freshly prepared in school each morning and meet the rigorous school food guidelines set out by the Government.

For just £2.10 per day your child can enjoy:

• a choice of freshly cooked main courses
• fresh salad or vegetables
• bread
• a tasty pudding or fresh fruit

Our school meals are designed to give your child exactly the right kind of foods to keep them going until teatime, including lots of energy-giving carbohydrates and at least two of their five a day fruit and vegetables.

If your child doesn't already stay for a school meal, why not introduce them? You might be surprised.

School meal calendar

We operate a 3-week rotational menu in school.

Following a school term holiday, we always restart on week 1 menu.

Each school manages their own teacher training days. Please contact your school for this information.

Free school meals

A free school meal is available to all children in Reception, Years 1 and 2, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

Children in Years 3 to 6 still have to pay for lunch unless they are eligible for free school meals.  

Parents claiming certain benefits can apply for free school meals for any of their children who are registered at a Hartlepool school and who would normally be at school at lunch time. Please telephone 01429 284188 to apply or email benefits@hartlepool.gov.uk

Paying for meals

Children in Years 3 to 6 must pay for lunch unless they are eligible for free school meals.  The current cost of a primary school lunch is £2.10 per day.

School meals should be paid for:

• using ParentPay
• before they are taken
• preferable a week in advance

Paying online means that you can do this at a time that's convenient for you. 

Food Allergies & medically prescribed diets

Your child's required diet needn't prevent them from enjoying a healthy and tasty school lunch with their friends.

Our professional team at Catering Services:

• can provide a tailored school lunch for your child with particular dietary requirements or medically prescribed diet
• currently produce over 300 medical / food allergy diets per day
• work closely with dietitians and parents to meet children's specific needs, including gluten, milk, egg and legume free meals

To arrange an appointment:

If your child requires a medically prescribed diet you must contact Catering Services and not the school to make an appointment to discuss your child’s dietary requirements.

Telephone: 0191 643 8355

Email: catering.services@northtyneside.gov.uk

In the interest of safety, a meal cannot be provided for your child until you have spoken with a Manager from North Tyneside Council Catering Services.

A menu will be complied for your child to suit the diet required and implemented with the Unit Supervisor in your child’s school.

Packed lunch information

A balanced packed lunch should contain:

• Starchy foods - these are bread, rice, potatoes and pasta
• Protein foods - these are meat, fish, eggs, beans
• A dairy item - this could be cheese or yoghurt
• Vegetables or salad, and a portion of fruit.

Starchy foods are a good source of energy and should make up a third of the lunchbox. But don’t let things get boring. Instead of sandwiches give kids bagels, pitta bread, wraps and baguettes. Use brown, whole meal or seeded bread, not white bread.

Children often like food they can eat with their fingers, so chop up raw veggies such as carrots or peppers, and give them hummus or cottage cheese to dip the veggies in. Breadsticks and crackers are great finger foods and they can be spread with low-fat soft cheese or eaten with reduced-fat cheddar and pickles.

Replace chocolate bars and cakes with fresh fruit or dried fruit.

Here are more ideas for packed lunches with lots of helpful tips

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes

Help for a better life, healthy eating & exercise

For more information on creating a better, healthier lifestyle, visit the following websites:

https://www.gov.uk/school-meals-healthy-eating-standards

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide

https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/schools/benefits/school-food-standards

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/