School meals

Please be aware, the Government has again updated the Free School Meals eligibility guidance on 5th June 2025.

The updated guidance confirms that transitional protections have been extended until the end of the 2025/2026 school year, this means that any free school meal entitlements awarded from the 01/04/2018 up until the end of the 2025/26 academic year are currently protected until at least the end of July 2026, regardless of any changes in financial circumstances. The government are due to release more information on how Free School Meals will be assessed from academic year 2026/27 prior to the 01/09/2026. Once we have that guidance we will update our web pages and contact all entitled parents accordingly.

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.