School Dinners
Our school meals are provided by, Dolce. Dolce have over 30 years catering experience in both educational and commercial settings. They offer home cooked food made from seasonal – and sustainable – ingredients. They have been working with ProVeg to promote more sustainable options within their menus as well as improving and increasing the number of plant based and vegetarian dishes. Dolce also support Meat Free Mondays providing tasty alternatives to meat each Monday.
Dolce also cater for any food intolerances your child may have.
Please see a sample menu below for the varied choices they offer...
How To Order A School Meal
School meals can be ordered either at home or in school. For younger children, we recommend placing the order at home together with your child. This helps them know what they’ll be having for lunch and helps to make their mealtimes more enjoyable.
All lunches are ordered and paid for via School Grid.
Packed Lunches
As part of our school dinner menu, we offer a sandwich or wrap option every day. We encourage parents to consider this as a convenient and cost-effective choice for their child. However, if you prefer to provide a packed lunch from home, we kindly ask for your support in continuing our healthy eating initiative by ensuring your child’s lunchbox contains a well-balanced, nutritious meal.
Please note: For safety reasons, hot food should not be included in lunchboxes.
Is My Child Entitled To A Free School Meal?
All children in Upper Foundation Stage, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal as part of the government universal meals initiative. You do not have to apply for UIFSM, however, if you are in receipt of certain eligible benefits (see below), we strongly urge you to register and apply as your child's school can then receive additional funding from the government. This additional funding is called Pupil Premium and supports learning and development whilst at school.
Eligible Benefits:
1. Income Support
2. Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
3. Income Related Employment Support Allowance
4. Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
5. The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
6. Universal Credit
Ordinarily, children from Years 3 to 6 have to pay for their meal unless they fit the free school meal criteria. However, from September 2026 all primary school children whose parents/carers are in receipt of Universal Credit can claim a Free School Meal for their child. This change aims to support parents financially and give children the opportunity to have a warm cooked meal in school.
From September 2026:
there will be an annual eligibility check
some families may become eligible who were not before
others may need to reapply
Who can get free school meals
To be eligible, your child must attend a Wakefield school. This can be a primary or secondary school (Nursery to Year 11), or a Wakefield maintained nursery school*.
You may then qualify in one of the ways below.
Targeted free school meal
Your child will get free school meals and extra help for their school if you receive:
Universal Credit and your household income is £7,400 a year or less
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
the guarantee element of Pension Credit
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
support as a family with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
This is called targeted free school meals.
This also means your child’s school gets extra funding (Pupil Premium). And you may qualify for other support like the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Expanded free school meals
Your child may get free meals only if:
you receive Universal Credit
your household income is above £7,400 a year
This is called expanded free school meals
This does not include extra funding for the school.
Do you need to apply?
You do not need to apply if:
your child already receives free school meals, and
they attend a Wakefield school.
We will contact you if anything changes.
You should apply if:
• you are not currently claiming, but think you may qualify
• your financial situation has changed.
You can apply from 3 July 2026.
Infant free school meals
Children who attend a maintained infant or primary school in reception class, year 1 or year 2 can get a free school meal regardless of income.
If you receive benefits, you should still apply. This helps your child’s school receive extra funding.
After you apply
If your application is successful, your child’s school will be told. This information is shared sensitively and confidentially.
Need help?
Further advice and guidance are available online.
