School Meals
Hockliffe works in partnership with Innovate, the school’s catering provider.
On offer to pupils is a high-quality menu that is nutritionally balanced, seasonal and designed to ensure children eat well.
The Menu
Innovate believes that quality catering and a good dining experience are key elements to the school day and contribute positively towards pupils achieving their full potential.
Options include:
Main meal – a choice of meat or vegetarian/vegan/halal option
Jacket potato – with a selection of toppings
Dessert of the day and/or a fruit option and/or yoghurt
The menu will follow a similar weekly pattern, so pupils know what to expect; for example, a roast dinner served every Wednesday and a curry every Thursday.
There will also be popular themed days, celebrating events such as ‘Bonfire Night’, ‘Chinese New Year’ and ‘World Book Day’, to name just a few.
How to Order
All meals are booked via SchoolGrid.
What You Need to Do
When your child starts at Hockliffe Lower you will be sent an email to register. This email will contain instructions on how to activate your account and create your password.
To set up your SchoolGrid account, the school will securely share the necessary parent and pupil information with SchoolGrid. You can view SchoolGrid’s Privacy Policy here.
Ordering Meals
Meals can be ordered daily, weekly, monthly or even on a termly basis.
Please note that all orders must be placed by 11:00pm on the preceding Sunday. Hockliffe Lower School is unable to accept same-day meal orders.
If your child receives free school meals, you must still place the order through SchoolGrid.
We encourage all parents/carers to book their child’s meals well in advance to save disappointment, as we are unable to offer a school lunch if one has not been booked online.
Paying for Meals
If you pay for school meals, there is one payment option:
1. Card Top-Up
Add credit to your account using your debit or credit card.
If you do not top up, you will receive a reminder message, and you will be unable to complete the order.
Cancellations
If your child will not be taking their meal, please remember to cancel the order on SchoolGrid. If you do not cancel, you may still be charged. Cancelling also helps us reduce food waste.
Need Help?
If you have any questions or need support with SchoolGrid, you can contact their support team:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01506 300310
If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals please contact Central Bedfordshire Council’s Money and Benefits helpline on 0300 300 8306.
Guidelines for school lunches and packed lunches
Packed Lunches
Children may prefer to bring a packed lunch. Try to ensure that you pack them a healthy balanced lunch, but no sweets or chocolate bars please. If children do not eat items these will be sent home in their lunchboxes so that parents are aware of what their child has eaten and can monitor their food likes and dislikes.
Please visit the Change4life website to find tips on preparing a healthy packed lunch for your child.
We encourage children to drink regularly during the day, so please send your child with a drink in a named water bottle, which can be refilled if necessary.
Milk
Milk is available free until children reach their 5th birthday.
Cool Milk provides the milk at a cost of approximately 25p per day for children aged 5 and above, which is payable termly in advance. Registration packs from Cool Milk will be made available to you from the school. Milk must be ordered and paid for online on the Cool Milk website
Please remember to update your registration with Cool Milk over the School Holidays.
Fruit and Vegetables
As part of the Government Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, Willow and Maple Class children are provided with free fruit and vegetables to eat after the morning playtime. If your child is in Rowan Class they may bring fresh fruit or vegetables from home to eat at this time.
