Our Philosophy
At Coleham Primary School we believe that the school meal is one of the most important parts of the day.
We know that what children eat plays an important part in their wellbeing and a positive relationship with food and healthy eating will set them on the right track for later life. Lunch times are also a key time for children to interact socially together.
Health Education
Our school meals are provided by Academy. The kitchen team work closely with school staff and pupils to ensure a whole school approach to the food, activities and health education that is delivered. We have access to the company Nutritionist and Academy provide opportunities to enrich our Healthy Eating education.
We take part in the national Eat Them to Defeat Them Veg Power campaign encouraging children to like eating vegetables.
The school food Showdown Healthy Eating Roadshow visits us each year.
We have a great time watching two teams in a cook-off and learning healthy cooking tips.
Our Offer
The team at the school, led by our Chef Manager ‘Mel’ prepare fantastic traditional and specialty menu offerings daily as shown within the three-week seasonal menu cycle. The wheelbarrow salad bar offers fresh bread and a varied choice of salads daily. Special Themed menus are planned throughout the year to link in with religious festivals and curriculum events.
Food provenance is crucial, committed to providing your children with the best produce available, with a focus on seasonal and reasonably sourced ingredients. We will only use free-range eggs, Red Tractor certified meat and dairy product suppliers, and ensure that all the fish we cook adheres to Marine Stewardship Council Standards. All suppliers, selected and can demonstrate a clear provenance path form ‘field to fork.’
Lunch Menu and Payment
For up to date information visit our Meals Payment and Menu page
Free School Meals
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children receive a free meal as do those children who qualify for Free School Meals. If you are unsure whether your child is eligible for benefits related Free School Meals please click on the link below, which will take you to Shropshire Council’s website for further information.
https://shropshire.gov.uk/free-school-meals
Pupil Voice
Our children are actively involved in lunchtimes from designing our school menus to serving the food. The children regularly contribute recipe ideas and feedback towards the school menu so that it caters to them. The School Council meets with our Catering Manager Miss Perry and the Eco Council input to vegetarian meals.
Our children ‘takeover’ the school menu in our Lunchathon House Competition.
Healthy Snacks and Lunchboxes
Children may bring in a portion of fruit/vegetables for a breaktime snack. Children in EYFS, Year 1 and 2 are provided this free each day.
If you prepare your child a lunchbox then please see the recommended guidance below.
Children need a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins from foods like dairy, leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, alongside water, to build strong teeth and healthy bones. It’s important to limit sugary foods and drinks and avoid snacking on them between meals, as frequent exposure to sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.
Lunchboxes are unable to be refrigerated in school. Please consider whether your child requires an ice-pack in their school lunch box to keep the food fresh until lunchtime.
For more Healthy Lunch Advice & Inspiration click HERE
Allergens and Dietary Advice
We understand that some parents and children can feel anxious or worried about lunchtimes so we will all work closely together to resolve this. Academy’s nutritionist is able to provide advice and support to anyone that requires it. Please contact us if you would like to know more.
If you would like support regarding your child’s allergies or special dietary requirements then please email the Catering Manager, Mel Perry at ca.colehamprimary@ocs.com. Alternatively, you can contact the School’s Business Manager and School’s Allergen Lead, Tracy Othen at tracy.othen@col.318education.co.uk.
‘Sesame, Celery and Nut Free’ School Kitchen
Our catering team does not order, accept or serve sesame, celery and nuts due to specific pupil Anaphylaxis risks in our school. This means that our caterers have agreements in place with suppliers so we cannot order products that ‘contain nuts, sesame, celery’ or ‘may contain nuts, sesame, celery’ for school meals served at lunchtime.
There is no restriction on any foods re packed lunches. We foster a culture of strong allergy awareness in school, all staff are allergen trained and we have safeguards and control measures in place to protect at risk children and regularly remind children that they must not ‘share food’ and only eat the food that has been provided to them by staff or Parents/Carers. We foster a culture of allergy awareness and education for staff and children.
Please see our Pupil Allergy Policy HERE
Parents can help us maintain a culture of allergy awareness in school by:
- informing us of your child’s allergies and keeping us up to date with any changes
- regularly remind your child not to share any food you have provided in their packed lunch.
- to only send in fruit as a healthy breaktime snack. (EYFS & KS1 children each receive a free portion of fruit at break)
- be responsible for what your child eats at any school community events where parents are responsible for the supervision of their child.
Our Allergy Risk Assessment has control measures in place for all sources of food that may be available in school such as cookery lessons, science or craft activities, clubs, trips, school staffed events such as discos/parties, gifts and community events to safeguard children with allergies and anaphylaxis.
We carefully control food coming into school for allergy and nutrition reasons, therefore we do not allow birthday treats to be shared with the class. Instead, we recommend donating a book to the classroom book corner to be shared before home time.