School meals survey

The School meals survey has now closed. The collection of surveys closed on Monday 31 March 2008. Results of the survey will be available in May 2008.

Contents

School food is changing for the better

School meals in Waltham Forest now fully meet the new Government standards. The exciting changes mean:

  • Manufactured food products (burgers, sausages etc) may only be served once a fortnight and must meet minimum meat standards
  • No more than two deep fried products may be served in a week
  • Bread will accompany all meals served
  • No crisps or other savoury snacks may be served apart from seeds
  • Salt will not be available at lunchtime
  • Oily fish will be served at least once every three weeks
  • Fish will be served at least once a week
  • Red meat will be served at least three times a week for secondary schools and twice a week for primary schools

About school meals

Here at Waltham Forest we believe we have a responsibility to encourage children to make sensible food choices. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.

We aim to provide a range of options that will enable all our customers to select a meal that they will enjoy and that will have a positive impact on their health.

In order to achieve this we consult with parents, children and school staff and find out what they would like to see on our menus, and what we can do to improve their meal experience. We then design a menu that meets their requirements as well as the Government’s health guidelines. We take care to buy the best ingredients we can and to prepare them in a way that retains their goodness, resulting in a wide selection of wholesome, freshly prepared dishes.

Do you qualify for free school meals?

We encourage all pupils entitled to a free school meal to take up their entitlement. If you are claiming income support, an income based job seekers allowance, support under part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999, or receiving a tax credit (but not those entitled to working tax credit) and the annual income (as assessed by the inland revenue) does not exceed £14,495, your child may be entitled to free school meals.

To find out about free school meals please click here.

You can also contact Pupil and Student Support on 020 8496 5341 or write to:

Pupil and Student Support
Graylaw House
High Road
Leyton  E10 6QE

All schools take special care to make sure that neither parents, carers nor children are caused embarrassment when applying for or receiving free school meals.

Why not introduce your child to school meals today?

We hope that your child will be joining us for lunch and that they will benefit from the experience of eating with others, developing a taste for different foods, and gaining confidence to make food choices.

Waltham Forest Catering

Waltham Forest Catering is the main provider of school meals in Waltham Forest. We currently serve 63 primary, special and nursery schools and 7 secondary schools.

We have been serving meals to the school children of Waltham Forest for over 40 years. Our skilled catering staff are trained to provide a wide range of freshly produced, balanced, healthy meals that children will enjoy eating

» More information about Waltham Forest Catering

Primary schools (serviced by Waltham Forest Catering)

Primary school meals cost £1.70. You can download the Spring 2008 primary school menus here. The menu is a 769Kb Microsoft Word file.

Waltham Forest Catering Service provides services to all of the primary schools except Hillyfields Community School, St Patricks Primary School and Mission Grove Primary School.

Secondary schools (serviced by Waltham Forest Catering)

The price for a secondary school meal is £1.75. Aveling Park, Connaught Girls, Leytonstone, George Mitchell, Holy Family Technology College, Norlington Boys', Rush Croft, Warwick Boys' and Willowfield Schools have a catering service provided by Waltham Forest.

You can download a sample secondary school menu here. The sample menu is a 45Kb Microsoft Word file. For individual school's menu contact the school directly.

Contact us

Waltham Forest Catering Service
Children and Young People's Service
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane  E17 5SD

Tel 020 8496 3000