School Meals
Newcastle City Council Services to Schools Team provide a wide range of nutritionally well balance school meals prepared in the school kitchen. There is a daily selection of freshly cooked main meals, including a vegetarian option, salad bar, and desserts, fresh fruit or yoghurt. View the menu here or visit the council website for more information including details about allergens.
Cost of School Meals
School meals are charged at the rate set by Newcastle City Council - this is currently £2.20 per day for Key Stage 2 and £2.10 for Nursery. This should be paid in advance via School Gateway or on Monday mornings at the school office. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are eligible for a Universal Infant Free School Meal. If you wish for your child to switch to packed lunches, we politely ask for 2 weeks' notice so the kitchen can order the right amount of food.
Universal Infant Free School Meals
The Government funds schools in England to provide every infant a free school meal each day. At Hotspur we provide all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 with a free meal from the School Meals Menu unless you select a packed lunch meal pattern for your child.
Free School Meals
Your children may be entitled to free school meals if you receive one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- income-related employment and support allowance
- support from the National Asylum Support Service under part VI of the Immigrations and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit with no element of Working Tax Credit and a household income below £16,190
- the Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
If you believe you may be eligible you can apply via Newcastle City Council here.
It is important that if you are entitled you apply even if your child has a packed lunch as this triggers other funding for school through the Pupil Premium grant.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT - FREE SCHOOL MEALS
“Did you know that Universal Credit is currently a qualifying benefit for Free School Meals?”
If you receive Universal Credit then your children are entitled to a free meal in school. Claiming Free School Meals could save you almost £400 per child per year, and could enable the school to gain over £2,000 per year extra funding for every child as well. Even if your child does not take the free meal, or your child gets a free meal because they are currently in reception or Key stage 1, you should apply now if you have not already.
If you receive Universal Credit and are not already claiming Free School Meals for your children, then please visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals for more information and to apply. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet, you can collect a Free School Meal application form from Student/Main Reception.
