Change in School Meals at PHS

Dear Parents and Carers,
It is with reluctance that I have to write to you regarding a change that we are introducing next term regarding the charging of School Meals. Unfortunately, due to increasing costs we plan to begin charging for standard school meals next term. I appreciate this will be disappointing news for some of you, but I can assure you that after considering all the options available we have no choice. We have decided to introduce the charges gradually so hopefully reducing the financial impact upon you.

Therefore, after the October Half Term we will be charging £1.25 for a main course and a dessert. After Christmas we will be charging £2.50 – which is in line with other schools and special schools locally. The charge of £2.50 will remain for the rest of 2024, being reviewed in July 2024. Payment for meals will be via an online payment system, details of which will be shared with you on our return from the summer break. For our children and young people who require an IDDSI meal prepared at levels 1 – 5 we fully appreciate the additional complexity involved in meal preparation and as such we will consult with those parents separately as to our offering to them going forward in the autumn term. We fully recognise the importance of providing nourishing meals to our students, as well as catering for all dietary needs and requirements, for example gluten free or the varying levels of IDDSI meals, and our dedicated catering team take great pride in providing these high-quality meals and actively involve our
students in the development of menus. Rest assured that we will continue to prioritise the nutritional needs of all children at our school.

If you would prefer your child to have a packed lunch instead of a school meal, the school is happy to support this. Our current arrangement relating to snacks remains unchanged and we ask you to please continue to send these in should you wish your child to have these during the school day. We understand that this change may present challenges for some families, and should you not currently be in receipt of free school meals and believe you may be eligible, an application form to apply is attached. Please do contact our Family Liaison Officer, Eileen Robinson, who will be able to support you through this process. We appreciate your support and understanding in this matter. Our goal is to provide the best possible education for our children and young people within the resources we have available – and unfortunately if we do not make this change it will impact negatively upon our ability to deliver this.

Thank you for all your support,

John Steward,

Headteacher.

Parents/carers of students on IDDSI level 1-5 will be contacted separately.

Also attached is the letter on Pupil Premium and Free School Meals.

If your child is eligible for free school meals please return this form to Eileen Robinson, Family Liaison Officer immediately.