Canteen and Free School Meals

Year 7 Hints and Tips For the Canteen 

• There are 2 breaktime sessions when you can buy food from the canteen.

Mid Morning Break : 10.25am - 10.40am

Lunch: Two Sessions Either - 12.20pm - 12.50pm or 12.50pm - 1.20pm

• There are a number of Tariffs (price lists) on display around the canteen, as well as individual tickets with the item and prices at the counter. If you are not sure please ask a member of the team.

• You need to pay for each item individually, as you would in a shop or other food outlet. 

• The £2.50 ‘2 Piece Meal Deal’ is your best value for money choice 

Offer 1 - Main Meal with either a Water or Cake/Cookie

Offer 2 - Pasta with a Topping with either a Water or Cake/Cookie

Offer 3 - Jacket Potato & Filling with either a Water or Cake/Cookie

Offer 4 - Boxed Salad with either a Water or Cake/Cookie

Offer 5 - Just Sandwich Range with either a Water or Cake/Cookie

• You will need to regularly check your account. If you need to top up, it is always best to do this the night before. This ensures that the money is available for you the next day.  To top up your account you need to go online. 

• Aspens staff will let you know when your account is getting low at the till and remind you to get this topped up. If this has not been done we will allow you to eat but you might be limited to what you can have. 

• If you were eligible for Free School Meals in your primary school, you will need to re-register with the council for the secondary school. Please see the information provided by the school. 

• Here is the link for information on Free School Meals and to claim if you are eligible. 

https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/free-school-meals-pupil-premium

• The daily Free School Meal allowance is set at a value of £2.53. This is automatically loaded onto your account each day. You can also add additional funds to your account should you wish to do so.

• Please make sure the school is aware of any food allergies or intolerances, as this information will be added to your account so that the catering team are aware.

• Please talk to the catering team if you have any questions. We are always happy to help. 

5 Point Checklist

1. Check you have money on your account.

2. Think about your choices

3. Make sure you leave enough time to queue up, buy your food and eat

4. Don't buy for other people

5. Keep within your budget

Free School Meals

Your child might be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)  if you access:  

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on

• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 a year (after tax & not including any benefits you get)

To  find out if you are eligible to apply for FSM, please refer to the IOW Council website here. 

The value of a free school meal for 2024- 2025 is £2.53.  

Pupil Premium

If your child is eligible for 'free school meals' and you register them for this, we'll receive extra funding called 'pupil premium'. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school. 

What is pupil premium funding? 

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It's provided for pupils who: 

• Are registered for free school meals 

• Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years 

• Are, or have been, in care

• Have parents in the armed forces 

At Ryde Academy we receive for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals.  This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer. 

For example, we've previously used pupil premium funding for educational provision/resources and academic interventions.