We are very pleased to be able to let parents know that from the new school year LTS Catering will be providing the catering provision for pupils at Great Bowden Academy. We recognise the important benefits a healthy lunchtime meal plays within the school day. We firmly believe that employing the services of a professional catering team will ensure the best quality meals for our pupils, support and training for catering staff, and value for money for our parents. 

LTS Catering hold the Soil Association Food for Life Gold Catering Mark in all of the primary academies/schools it provides for. This certification is awarded to caterers who pride themselves in providing fresh cook menus, using local suppliers, British farm assured and organic produce as standard, free range & fair trade products & seasonal ingredients.  

We attach the menu for the coming term, the meal cost to parents remains the same as last year at £3.10. If you have any questions regarding the change or think you may qualify for free school meals please do contact us. 

If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you may be able to get free school meals for them if you get one of these benefits: 

• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance 

• Income Support (IS) 

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) 

• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit 

• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 if you’re an asylum seeker 

• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit 

• Children who receive Income Support (IS) or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance in their own right can also get free school meals. 

Universal Infant Free School Meals 

The Government introduced Universal Infant Free School Meals in September 2014. If you have a child in reception, year 1 or year2 your child is entitled to enjoy a school meal for free every day.  

Does your child qualify for a free school meal? 

Even if your child is entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal it is still important to confirm eligibility, this will ensure Great Bowden Academy will be in a position to obtain further funding from central government to provide additional support your child. This funding is also referred to as Pupil Premium. Please contact the school office for further information. 

We provide our younger children with a piece of fruit for a mid-morning snack and encourage older, KS2 pupils to bring in a ‘fruit only’ snack to keep them going until lunchtime. Fruit can be fresh, preserved (small cans or plastic tubs) dried, juiced or pureed – but must be pure and not include added sugar. Carrots, cucumber and tomatoes are popular choices 

Drinking enough water is very important to ensure that children’s brains are functioning to their full potential for learning, so we encourage pupils to bring an unbreakable named water bottle to school with them every day – filled with water only. 

NHS-Change For Life offers this advice about preparing packed lunches for children at school. 

For allergens and further advice please go to: http://leicestershiretradedservices.org.uk/Page/1982