School Meals
At Highfurlong, our dinnertime menu changes on a termly basis. All meals are provided by Blackpool Catering Services. All our food is prepared and cooked in school and we encourage students to add fresh fruit and vegetables from a selection at our salad bar. Our kitchen team can cater for all needs and can prepare blended and pureed food in line with guidance from your child’s nutritionist.
We use a system called Cypad in school which allows all pupils to make their own choice daily.
We are also operate a cashless payment system in school and all parents are encouraged to sign up. To receive an account activation please contact the school office.
Free School Meals
Do you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals?
Some pupils are eligible for free school meals. If your child is tube fed or chooses to have packed lunches, you are still able to apply for the free school meals; they do not need to take up the offer of a meal.
If you register your child for Free School Meals, not only does this provide a free meal each day for your child but school also receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school. For example; additional communication aids, iPads and other resources for your child.
If your child is in reception to Year 11 and you think you may be eligible then please apply.
If you previously received free school meals but no longer do and you feel your circumstances have changed then you are able to apply again.
Is my child eligible?
Your child could 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)
How do I register?
You only need to register once online. Please see links below for your local authority (where you pay council tax to not where your child’s school is)
Looked after children, SGO and children who have been adopted?
Children who have are looked after, under a Special Guardianship order or those who have been adopted do not automatically qualify free school meals. As such you as a carer must apply for free school meals in the normal way.
Universal infant free school meals
Currently, pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to a free school meal due to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with free school’s meals and the pupil premium.
If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 and is eligible for free school meals according to the criteria above, you should still register because they will receive the extra pupil premium funding to be used in school and continue with free school meals in Year 3 (if still eligible).
