Lunches
Lunch is an important social event at Fern Hill and we provide an in house catering service, serving high quality food made with fresh, seasonal produce, some of which is grown in our own gardens!
Our lunches comply with the government standards for school meals and we are the proud recipient of the Healthy Schools Bronze Award.
Lunches must be ordered and paid for in advance via ParentPay. For information on how to do this, click here. You can find the current half-term's menu on ParentPay.
Packed lunches from home
If you do not order a school lunch for your child, you will need to provide them with a packed lunch from home. Your child will eat lunch together with their class regardless of whether they have a school lunch or a packed lunch from home.
Their lunch should be in a named lunch box which can be easily stored. A still drink may be included, though water and semi-skimmed milk are available in the lunch hall. Fizzy drinks or drinks in cans or glass bottles are not permitted. Please ensure any hot food is safely contained in a leakproof flask. Confectionery is not allowed and we are a strictly nut-free school.
If you are looking for inspiration on creating a healthy packed lunch, these websites have some great ideas:
https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/school-lunch
https://realfood.tesco.com/curatedlist/lunchbox-ideas-for-kids.html
If your child forgets their packed lunch, we will attempt to contact you. If it is not possible for a packed lunch to be dropped off, your child will be provided with a school lunch that you will be charged for at the normal rate.
Free School Meals & the Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme
Children who are entitled to a Free School Meal will be provided for by the Local Authority. The administration of this is carried out in as sensitive a manner as possible for the children concerned. If you have any queries about Free School Meals please contact us by email at: lunches@fernhill.rbksch.org
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal as part of the Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme which began in September 2014. Please note that although lunches under this scheme are free of charge, you must still place an order for a lunch using ParentPay and make a selection from the menu.
Special Dietary Requirements
If your child has any allergies or dietary conditions please ask at the school office for a Special Dietary Information Form and a meeting with our Catering Manager.