Benefits of good food at school

There is evidence that food eaten by young people at school affects their behaviour and ability to learn. By committing to a regular school meal you can be sure your child is eating well at lunchtime. So what are the benefits of enjoying a school lunch?

• All menus are nutritionally balanced and conform to the government's national nutritional guidelines.
• Children can sit down together and enjoy their meal, whilst at the same time developing those social skills of eating together that are so important in later life.
• Children can choose each morning what meal they would like to eat at lunchtime
• We encourage the children to use their cutlery correctly to cut and eat their food 
• A well-fed and happy child is more likely to be receptive to participating in the afternoon's activities.
• Someone else prepares and cooks lunch for your child, which saves you worrying about a packed meal every day.

Throughout the year we will invite you in to share lunch with your child so you can taste the delicious school meals served at St. John's.

If your child is moving from packed lunch onto school dinners (or vice versa) please make sure you give school a weeks notice in writing to enable us to alter the ingredients ordered and delivered each week.

5 stars for Food Hygiene and a Healthy Catering Award

We are delighted that our kitchen has been rated 5 stars by the Food Standard Agency and we received a Healthy Catering Award from Rochdale Council too! Follow the link below to find out more about this award.

Free school meals

As part of the Government’s school food plan, every school in England provides free lunches for all children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

You can apply for free school meals as soon as your child starts school to ensure they receive free schools meals through primary and secondary school, if  your child attends a school maintained by Rochdale education authority and you and your child live in the borough. You must also receive any of the following benefits:

• Income Support (IS).
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IBJSA).
• An income-related employment and support allowance.
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• Child Tax Credit (provided you aren't entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an income that doesn't exceed the current year's level).
• The guaranteed element of state Pension Credit.
• Working Tax Credit during the 4-week period immediately after your employment finished.

Please go to the link below to find out more information about Free School Meals and apply to Rochdale Council