General Information

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2

From September 2014, every pupil became eligible for universal infant free school meals. 

Free School Meals and Pupil Premium

Some families will also be entitled to free school meals on grounds of income so that free school meals continue after year 2 (as detailed below). Any child who may be entitled to Free School Meals based on income may also be entitled to Pupil Premium support for their child in school. 

If this is the case please contact the School Office – this is really important because the school will receive extra funding to support your child in their learning and because you may be entitled to help with school uniform and other things.

Free School Meals are there to help lower income families. Pupil Premium support is in place to help children with their learning in school You can register your child for free school meals and Pupil Premium if you receive any of these benefits.  Please contact the School Office if you think you may be entitled to Free School Meals.

NB. If you are only entitled to Working Tax Credit you will NOT be eligible for Free School Meals

• Income Support.

• Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)*

• Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)*

• Universal Credit

• Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999.

• Child Tax Credit, but only if your annual income, as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs, is no more than £16,190 provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit.  If you are entitled to any part of Working Tax Credit there is no eligibility with the exception of Working Tax run-on as shown below

• Working Tax Credit ‘Run On’ – the payment you may receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

• The Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit. You will need the National Insurance Number for you and partner, the name and date of birth of your child and the name of the school.

*Please Note: The eligibility criteria for FSM has recently changed meaning that equal based JSA or ESA is now an eligible benefit and a parent receiving this benefit is eligible for FSM.

Please note : ALL parents who wish their child to have a hot school meal must order this 1 week in advance from our meals provider Chartwells via their on-line service.  If parents do not order a meal for their child then one will not be provided and a home packed lunch will need to be brought in.

Mid Morning Break

We have a healthy eating policy at Heathlands Primary School & Pre-school and do not allow sweets and chocolate bars in lunch boxes or for snacks.

We provide free fruit daily for Pre-school to Year 2, so no snack is required. Older children may bring fruit or vegetables for a snack at morning playtime. Some additional fruit may be available in school on a daily basis which children can help themselves to.

Currently children under the age of 5, have been receiving free milk at school, funded by the UK Government’s Nursery Milk Scheme.

When your child turns 5, milk continues to be available at a subsidised cost of 28p per day, via our school milk supplier, Cool Milk, or free if your child is in Key Stage 1 and is registered as a pupil premium child. 

Packed Lunches

Provision is also made at lunchtime for children to eat a packed lunch. We ask that you send a suitable, well balanced, nutritious meal. Food should be in a named lunch box and drinks should be in a leak proof plastic container with a straw or cup. Please remember to provide spoons etc if needed.

No fizzy drinks, energy drinks, sweets or glass containers please.

Drinks Bottles

Please ensure your child has a drinks bottle in school every day. This should be filled with water or clear flavoured water only. Try adding some fruit to water if your child struggles to drink plain water.

Children will be encouraged to drink as often as they like and at regular intervals, especially if the weather is warm. Staff are able to refill water bottles throughout the day if a child runs out. Cups and jugs of water are available in class.