School Meals & Milk

We are fortunate to have two separate dining halls for Infant and Junior children. In addition to Aspens staff producing and serving lunch, there are midday staff supervising and helping the children. 

SCHOOL LUNCH MENU:

ASPENS-MENU-Autumn-and-Winter-Menu.pdf - from September 2024

SPECIAL MENU REQUEST FORM:

Aspens-Alternative-Menu-Form-Allergy-Lifestyle-Notification-and-Medical-Diet-Request-1.pdf

All infant children, Reception to Year 2, are entitled to free school meals under the government's Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) initiative, this will help you save approximately £400 per year.

A choice of food is offered daily, complying with Government guidelines. Your child will have the flexibility to choose a school meal on any day and you do not need to advise the school.

If your child has a medically-diagnosed food allergy or intolerance then Aspens can provide a special menu. To request a special menu please complete the form above, please note that medical evidence will need to be provided. 

If you decide to provide a packed lunch, the food must be brought into school in a labelled container.  Please note that school does not have facilities for refrigerating or heating packed lunches. Drinks must be in a leak proof container.  Please make sure your child brings a healthy lunch, e.g. sandwiches, pasta, rice and fruit. We have the Healthy Schools Plus accreditation and encourage healthy eating.

Click here for ideas on healthy packed lunches:

NHS School Packed Lunches

Healthy Under Fives

APPLYING FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

We would like to help eligible children and families to get the support they are entitled. Every child that registers for free school meals generates income for their school via Pupil Premium from which their child benefits.

We would ask you to register even if your child is an infant entitled to free school meals, as this will ensure the school receives the Pupil Premium funding for your child plus milk (if applicable).

You can apply for free school meals:

• online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/free school meals

• Please contact the school office who will be pleased to assist if required.

Year 3 - Year 6 Meal Payments

Dinner money must be paid in advance through Arbor only (We are a cash/cheque free school, operating a strict no debts policy).

• Year 2 transferring into Year 3 will need to pay for dinners unless Free School Meal Entitlement has been agreed.

Parents have all been provided Arbor log in details for each child at the school. If you do not have this information, please contact the school office. 

If there is insufficient credit on your account by the time of daily registration (9am) a school meal will not be provided and you will need to supply a packed lunch instead. Please click here for our Debt Policy.

_{Reception to Year 2 infant meals are free under the Universal Free School Meals scheme.}

MILK

School milk is free for all nursery children and those under age five. It is subsidised for pupils aged five or older, costing parents/carers around £15.00 per term (depending on the length of the term). This is arranged between parents and  "CoolMilk" directly. Payments will need to be paid in advance and you will need to notify Cool Milk a week in advance of any changes.

If your child is registered for free school meals, milk will be provided without charge, however you will still need to register with Coolmilk for your child to receive milk.

HOW TO REGISTER - MILK

MILK - MY CHILD IS UNDER FIVE

Register at www.coolmilk.com/register. Free milk will continue until the Friday before your child's fifth birthday unless you are entitled to free school meals and milk. You will receive a payment request three weeks before your child's fifth birthday. If you wish your child to continue to receive school milk simply make a payment.

MILK - MY CHILD IS FIVE OR OLDER

Register online at www.coolmilk.com/register. Shortly after registering you will receive a payment request. You can pay Cool Milk either online, over the phone, at a local Pay Point or directly by cheque in half-termly, termly or annual instalments. If you have any questions regarding school milk please visit www.coolmilk.com.

Cool Milk Parent Leaflet

All children need a small named water bottle in the classroom to fill if they need drinking water which is available in all classrooms.

SNACKS 

We participate in a scheme initiated by the Government for Nursery and Infant pupils who are provided with a portion of fruit or vegetables each day. For Junior children they may either bring a portion of fresh or dried fruit, vegetables or cheese.