School Lunches

JCPS Menu June 2023Download

John Clare Kitchen Menu Selection Form

School lunches are freshly cooked on-site by our caterer, Mrs Sallis.
 
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 currently benefit from the Government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals Scheme so you do not have to pay for any meals taken.   Once your child reaches Year 3, the price of a school meal is £2.50 and is payable through your ParentPay Account. May we politely remind you that there should always be sufficient funds on your ParentPay Account as the school is not able to offer credit facilities. ParentPay.com should not be confused with Parent Mail (our communication and forms system).

In order to avoid going into arrears, we advise that you set up a low balance alert on your account as well as new alerts on your ParentPay account. This will enable ParentPay to send you a free, automatic email to let you know when your lunch account is below a set level or when you have a new item assigned to your account. You can do this by logging in to your account and clicking on the “Communication” tab at the top of the screen, then by clicking  on “Alert Settings” and follow the instructions to set email alerts. If you need help setting up this function or have any queries regarding ParentPay, please contact the School Office and we will be pleased to help.

We understand that families continue to live in uncertain times and many are facing changes to their financial circumstances as a result. If you have not previously applied for Free School Meals, or your name has recently changed, and feel you now meet the below criteria, please contact the School Office or click on the following link to complete an online application form to see if you qualify for Free School Meals.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/help-with-school-learning-costs/free-school-meals#eligibility-2-0

In order to qualify you must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

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

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

• Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Alternatively, please contact the school office for a paper copy of the application form.

Please be assured that any enquiries or applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.