School meals

Transitional protection is ending on the 25th March 2025

If your child is currently in receipt of Free School Meals, their entitlement will be protected until this time and will continue until the end of the child’s current phase of education.

If your child is currently in primary school their protected entitlement will cease on the last day of year 6. There is no need to reapply, we will perform an ECS check and will advise your child’s new secondary school if you are still entitled.

If your child is currently in secondary school their protected entitlement will cease on the last day of year 11.

School catering

Every day we provide school meals to over 7,000 students in Thurrock. We provide affordable, nutritious meals for local school children.

Over 75% of our food is made using local ingredients, and we use:

  • organic and traceable farm fresh British meat
  • 200,000 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables every year
  • fish that is caught from sustainable sources

Our menus are seasonal and changed twice a year.

We have monthly theme days and we run fun cooking events to educate children about healthy eating and cooking.

All key stage 1 (KS1) pupils, including reception children, are entitled to free school meals. Your child could also get free school meals if you are receiving certain benefits.