Meals and drinks

Meals, Snacks and Drinks

We want lunchtime to be an enjoyable and positive part of the school day. Children can choose to have a school meal or bring a packed lunch from home.

School Meals

Our school meals provide children with a choice of nutritious meals each day, including a vegetarian option.

Menus are published in advance and generally operate on a rotating cycle. Children choose their meal with their class teacher during morning registration.

Throughout the year, there may also be occasional special or themed lunches to celebrate particular events.

The current menu can be found on the school dinners page.

How much does a school meal cost?

The current cost of a school meal is £3.20.

Where payment is required, school meals should be paid for in advance through ParentPay.

Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

From September 2026, children from households receiving Universal Credit may also be entitled to free school meals. Families need to apply through Cheshire West and Chester Council so that eligibility can be confirmed.

We would encourage any family who thinks they may be eligible to apply, even if their child is already receiving a free infant meal, as some families may also qualify for additional support.

For further information, please visit the Cheshire West and Chester Council Free School Meals page or contact the school office.

Packed Lunches

Children are welcome to bring a packed lunch from home.

We encourage families to provide a healthy, balanced lunch that gives children the energy they need for the rest of the school day.

Please do not include sweets or chocolate bars in packed lunches.

If your child has a food allergy, intolerance or other dietary requirement, please make sure that the school is aware so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.

Allergy Awareness

Christleton Primary School is an allergy-aware school.

We have children in school with a range of food allergies, including allergies to ingredients such as nuts and sesame. We therefore ask all families to be considerate when choosing food to bring into school and to help us minimise the risk of accidental exposure.

As it is not possible to guarantee that any school environment is completely free from a particular allergen, we maintain appropriate procedures and individual arrangements for children with known allergies.

If your child has an allergy or food intolerance, please inform the school office so that we can work with you to keep them safe.

Drinking Water

Children have access to drinking water throughout the school day.

We ask every child to bring a clearly named water bottle to school each day. Water bottles can be refilled in school when required.

Morning Snacks

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with fresh fruit or vegetables as part of the school day.

Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 can purchase a morning snack in school. Further details and payment arrangements are available through ParentPay.

Junior children may also bring their own healthy morning snack from home. Fruit is an ideal choice.

As part of our commitment to encouraging healthy choices, sweets, chocolate bars and crisps should not be brought to school as morning snacks.

For menus, meal information, dietary forms and further details, please visit our school dinners page.