School Meals

Catering Update

Commencing 3rd September, our school catering team will be promoting four “meal deals” each day which have been designed to deliver a balanced lunch containing a portion of vegetables/salad and a portion of fruit. Pupils can include a dessert or opt for a fruit based drink if preferred. Kitchen managers will endeavour to produce these menus according to the days on the menu cycle, although we will update and introduce some local flexibility once the meal deals are established.

The cost will be £2.10 to fit in with the allowance for those entitled to take a free school meal and overall the price represents better value than if the individual items were purchased separately. Pupils will be able to buy a more limited range of individually priced items instead of a meal deal but we very much want parents’ support to change the culture of “pick and mix” to one where meal deals become the choice of the majority. In September, every pupil will be provided with a leaflet detailing the menu choices so that they will be fully aware of what will be on offer each day. The menus will also be published on the school website and have been included in this newsletter to provide a “flavour” of the new service.

Please see our Menus

• Menu Week 1
• Menu Week 2
• Menu Week 3
• Menu Week Numbers
• Meal Deals and selected Tariff Prices

Bowland live on air!

Click below to hear the Radio Lancashire interview aired on the Brett Davison afternoon show.

Catering Team Award

Our Catering staff have won the prestigious "Catering Team Excellence Award".

(From left to right - Jenny, Cath, Unit Manager Elaine, Judith and Joanne)

Mrs Cox and her team

Mrs Elaine Cox started work in our kitchen in 1999 and four years ago was promoted to the post of Unit Manager. Both of her children have attended Bowland, Sophie left last year, and Melissa is currently in Y10.

Elaine is keen to keep up to date with new developments, both her and our Assistant Cook have completed a 6 week cookery course during the summer holidays.

Elaine and her team have also received their level 2 in multi skills hospitality service.

• Judith Nerenberg
• Catherine Broadley
• Joanne Gornall
• Jenny Ward

The award was given by Lancashire County Council for having the highest number of pupils choosing to have a school dinner in Lancashire.

75% of pupils at Bowland choose to have a school meal

Great food served throughout the day

For more information about the service provided please visit the Lancashire County Council Commercial Services website at: www.servinglancashire.org.uk/catering/education/secondary/default.asp

Cashless Pay System

As part of extensive improvements to the dining experience at Bowland High, we have invested in a cashless catering payment system, which we believe brings enormous benefits to pupils and their parents/carers. This letter provides full details of how the new system operates - Biometrics Letter to Year 7 Parents

Applying for free school meals

Parents do not have to pay for school lunches if they receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £15,575
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit Children who receive Income Support or Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance in their own right qualify as well

To apply, you need to complete an application form. These are available from your child's school or your local Area Education Office, or as a downloadable form available by visiting the following link and clicking the "Downloads" tab: www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=1062&tab=1

Once you have applied and been granted free school meals you are not required to complete a further application form annually.