School Meals
School Menu
Paid School Meals:
The current cost of a school meal for a child is £2.53 per day, £12.65 per week. Parents and Carers need to pay using our 'SchoolMoney' App. Please click on: https://www.throstonschool.org.uk/pay-online/ for more information. If you wish to change your child's meal option for example packed lunch to school meals this can be done on a half-termly basis via e-mailing: admin@throstonschool.org.uk. School meals are prepared in our state-of the-art kitchen and offer a healthy, balanced diet for the children. There is a good choice available which always includes a vegetarian option. We now also have a 'Meat Free Monday'.
https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/schoolmeals
Packed Lunch:
If parents are sending children with a packed lunch, could we ask that you ensure this also provides a healthy, balanced diet. Children on packed lunches can bring a non-fizzy drink (no cans or bottles please) or have a beaker of water provided by the school. Parents with difficulties regarding lunch arrangements should speak to the head teacher.
Important Reminders:
PRODUCTS CONTAINING NUTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL AS THEY MAY PROMPT AN ALLERGIC REACTION!
PLEASE NOTE HOT LIQUIDS/FOOD SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO SCHOOL DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS. FLASKS CAN BE BROUGHT IN AS STORAGE, TO PREVENT LEAKS, BUT NOT AS HEAT INSULATORS.
PLEASE REMEMBER NOT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD WHOLE GRAPES OR TOMATOES - THEY CAN BE A CHOKING HAZARD!
Food and Drink Information:
Please note the school possesses 5 Stars (the highest award possible) for Food Hygiene within the school kitchen: http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/.
All children under the age of five years receive free milk on a daily basis.
All children within Early Years receive daily snacks. Children in Key Stage 1 receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable each day.
In Key Stage 2 children can purchase a piece of fruit each day for 20p.
Free, fresh drinking water is available at all times. Children are also encouraged to bring water to school.
Children are not allowed to bring a thermos flask to school, or tins or skewers.
The school advises children to bring packed lunches in insulated bags with freezer blocks where possible, to stop the food going off.
Wherever possible the school will ensure that packed lunch pupils and school dinner pupils will be able to sit and eat together.
The school recognises that some pupils may require special diets. If your child needs a special diet please let us know.
The school will always encourage parents/carers to provide healthy packed lunches for their children as directed by the government.
A Throston Primary ‘Healthy Packed Lunch’ would include the following:
Fruit and Vegetables; Seeds; Meat, Fish and other Non-Dairy Protein; Starchy Foods such as Bread, Noodles, Pasta and Rice; Dairy Food such as Cheese, Milk and Yoghurt & Drinks such as Fruit Juice, Smoothies and Water.
A Throston Primary ‘Unhealthy Packed Lunch’ would include the following:
Snacks such as Cakes and Crisps; Confectionery such as Chocolate and Sweets & Meat Products such as Sausage Rolls and Pies.
Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM):
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM). This offer does not depend on your household income or whether you receive any benefits, every child in these year groups is eligible to take up the offer. Being entitled to UIFSM does not necessarily mean you are entitled to support available during school holidays or in the event of school closures, that support is based on whether you are eligible for FSM.
Free School Meal (FSM):
A free school meal (FSM) does depend on your household income and if you receive certain benefits. If you meet the eligibility criteria it is extremely important that you claim for this. The meal your child receives will be no different and it will mean you are eligible to receive any support available during school holidays or in the event of school closures.
Please telephone (01429) 284188 or click on the link to apply for free school meals online: https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
In addition, schools receive funding from the Government for every child that is or has been registered for Free School Meals (FSM) at any time in the last six years. This funding is called Pupil Premium and is used to support children’s learning.
Useful Link: https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/info/20014/schools_and_learning/878/primary_school_meals/1
School Menu:
Please note the Local Authority provide a menu to help with your child’s food choices. To obtain a copy please download a copy at the bottom of this page. The menu is split up into a variety of choices and is coloured coded. Each coloured section represents a separate food group i.e.
The RED = ‘Protein’ choices such as: Fish, chicken, meat, eggs or non-meat options such as; Quorn, cheese or pulses such as kidney beans etc. There are at least 3 choices everyday to choose from.
The BLUE section = ‘Starchy Carbohydrates’ such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc. There will be 2-3 choices everyday to choose from.
The GREEN section = ‘Vegetables’ such as peas, carrots, broccoli, swede, cauliflower etc. There will be 2-3 choices everyday to choose from.
The PINK section = ‘Desserts’ section and children will have a choice of hot or cold puddings ranging from fruit sponges, yoghurts, flapjacks/tray bakes or fresh fruit/fresh fruit salad. There will be a selection to choose from everyday. Children can also select from the delicious salad bar.
Each child will be advised to choose 1 option from the RED (protein) food group, along with 1 option from the BLUE (starchy carbohydrate) group and 2 or 3 options from the GREEN (vegetable) group - before then choosing one delicious dessert from the PINK desserts group.
Each child will be able to identify which food group they are choosing from by the coloured handles on the utensils that the catering staff will be using to serve their food choices.
RED Utensils for Protein choices. BLUE Utensils for ‘Starchy Carbohydrates’ etc.
Page Updated: 14/11/2023.