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Healthy School Lunches
Healthy School Lunches
From September 2026 PS Catering will be the supplier of our school meals. For more information about PS Catering please follow the link ;PS Catering Management
Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies are a focus for all children at Vale. Whether a hot school meal or packed lunch from home, we encourage every child to eat healthily every day. We have also looked at how eating well, sleeping well and exercise can have a very positive impact on our emotional health and well-being.
We would encourage everyone to take a hot meal and are confident there is something for everyone, even those who may be fussy eaters!
Booking Meals
School meals must be booked online via School Money, which can be accessed via the app or a web browser. If you have not yet registered please contact the school office at office@valeschool.org , who will arrange to send you a welcome email. You can then follow the link to this helpful guide to logging on.
You do not need to order an exact meal for your child, as they will be given the choice at the counter on the day. Bookings can be made up to 8.30am on the day. A menu can be found here.
To book your hot meal please click here.
Free School Meals
At school, children in our Early Years, Year 1 & 2 are entitled to a healthy hot meal each day free of charge, as part of the UIFSM scheme.
Free School Meals pupils are also entitled to a healthy hot meal each day free of charge.
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be eligible to apply for free school meals for your child. If your application is successful, Vale School will receive additional funding per child in Pupil Premium funding. Therefore even if your child is currently receiving free meals due to being in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, it is important to apply for free school meals if you believe you may be eligible. Information on how to apply for free school meals can be found here.
If your child is entitled to free meals you must still book a meal via School Money and ensure you checkout, otherwise a meal will not be booked.
Pupils in Years 3 - 6 can also purchase a healthy hot lunch at a cost of £2.95. If your child is not entitled to free meals, you will need to pay for the meals at the time you book them.
Allergies, intolerances and lifestyle choices
Medical diets can be arranged with PS Catering. If your child has an allergy or intolerance, please contact office@valeschool.org to request a Special Diet form. Paula from PS Catering will then be in touch to discuss your child’s requirements and formulate an appropriate menu.
Any lifestyle choices will be managed by staff at the counter to ensure children only receive suitable meals.
More information
If you have any questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions or please get in contact with our incredibly helpful Vale Office team who will be happy to help you.
The West Sussex Public Health team have produced some handy guidance that can help all of us eat a more balanced, healthy lunch. They recommend the following:
The West Sussex Public Health team have produced some handy guidance that can help all of us eat a more balanced, healthy lunch. They recommend the following:
At least 1 portion every day of:
Fruit and Vegetables
Meat, fish, eggs or non-dairy protein
Starchy foods like bread, wraps, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, rice cakes
Dairy items like cheese, low sugar yoghurt, fromage frais, low sugar custard pot
Water, semi-skimmed/skimmed milk
At least 1 portion every 3 weeks of:
Oily fish like salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel
Occasionally (but not every day):
Meat products like sausage roll, individual pies, corned meat, sausages
Cakes and biscuits
Never to be included in a school packed lunch:
Salty snacks like crisps
nuts (due to allergies)
Squash, fizzy drinks, fruit shoot, capri sun
If you have any questions about hot school meals or packed lunches, please do not hesitate to get in contact with our incredibly helpful Vale office team.
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