Schools meals

Queensmill School has received significant praise and recognition for the wonderful school lunches by our full-time onsite chef, Lucio Poli, and his team. The highly skilled catering team provide a superb variety of healthy meals and are able to cater for a range of specific dietary requirements as well as adapting the presentation of dishes as needed to suit individual’s mealtime specifications.

We know that mealtimes can be particularly difficult for students with Autism and that many eat a restricted range of foods. We therefore provide a variety of supports and strategies throughout the school day to help develop students’ tolerance of foods and to ensure that mealtimes are positive.

All staff receive training from the Occupational Therapy Department in how to support students at mealtimes. This training covers the use of sensory and language strategies to reduce anxiety, adapting the environment, staff modelling and developing students’ independence. This training is also offered to parents.

To apply for Free School Meals your joint family income needs to be £16,190 or under per year.

And to be in receipt of one of the listed:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support from NASS (National Asylum Support Service) under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit run-on
  • Universal Credit.

If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals please ensure you do apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. You will then need to enter your postcode which will bring you to your local authorities website where you can then apply.

If you are then granted Free school meals you will then need to forward the confirmation letter/email to the school at [email protected] or by hand so we can take a copy, so we can then enter this on our records.

If you wish to pay for school meals for your child, the cost in £3 per day, which is £15.00 per week. Payment is due on the Monday morning of each week, payment can be made using Arbor parent login.

Here’s how to top up your child’s lunch account:

  1. Log in to your Arbor Parent Portal account: https://login.arbor.sc
  2. Navigate to the “Meals” section.
  3. Select your child’s name to view their meal balance.
  4. Click “Top Up Account” and enter the amount you wish to add.
  5. Complete your payment using the secure checkout process.

If you need any help or guidance, please visit Arbor’s support page for parents and guardians:

https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/categories/22645174482845-Students-and-Guardians