Hackwood Primary Academy
School Meals and Menus
Our school meals are provided by our in-house catering team. Fresh lunches are cooked in our school kitchens every day. All school meals meet current government guidelines and are well balanced, healthy and nutritious. There is always a choice of meal and dessert.
Our catering team cater for varied dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergens, halal – just let the office team know your child’s needs and we can liaise with our catering team.
Packed Lunches
If your child brings packed lunches to school, we ask that parents send a healthy packed lunch such as a sandwich or wrap, fruit, vegetable sticks, yoghurt and a biscuit/small chocolate bar. Children should bring juice or water to drink, we do not allow fizzy drinks in school.
Water is available to all children at lunchtime and throughout the day.
Paying for School Meals
Payment for school meals are to be paid on ParentPay pay please click here for ParentPay to access your account or to sign up. If you need any help please ask the office staff.
School meals cost £2.59 per day or £12.95 per week.
Note - price increase from September 2025 to £2.64 per day or £13.20 per week.
Free School Meal - IMPORTANT CHANGE
From 1 April 2025, the Government's transitional protection arrangements for means tested Free School Meals (FSM) will end. Any eligible claims confirmed from this date will no longer be protected. This means any child confirmed as eligible for free school meals from 1 April 2025 will be subject to ongoing checks to confirm continued eligibility.
This will not impact any children who are already confirmed as eligible before 1st April 2025.
Those already confirmed as eligible before 1st April 2025 will maintain their eligibility until the end of their current school phase of education. At that point, they will be re-assessed for their eligibility status.
This will apply to all year 6 moving into year 7 in September 2025. These children will then be subject to ongoing checks to confirm continued eligibility.
Some School Meals are Free
Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) -All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Children
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). UIFSM is not the same as free schools meals. You do not need to meet a specific criteria for your child to receive this – it is all free for all infant age children.
How can my child access this?
Just let the Office team know at school that you child would like to have a school meal.
If you are entitled to Free School Meals (see further information below) you should still apply for when taking a meal in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as school can claim additional funding to support the children's learning.
Junior School Meals
When your child moves into year 3 they will need to pay for their meals as these are not free for children in year 3 to year 6.
Free school meals (FSM) - Qualifying Children in Any Year Group
Children in families receiving certain benefits may be entitled to free school meals regardless of the year group they are in.
Even if you do not intend to take advantage of the free meal, school receives additional support funding for any child that meets the criteria and it is strongly recommended that you sign up for this scheme.
Is my child eligible for free school meals (FSM)?
Your child might be eligible if you access:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or 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 (£616.67 per month)
If you believe your child should be eligible for Free School Meals based on the criteria above, you can apply through the link below, please can you inform the office team: