Our Approach to School Food

At Wavertree CE School, we believe that a healthy, nutritious meal is essential for fuelling young minds and bodies. We are proud to partner with Food for Thought—a fantastic, not-for-profit school meals company owned by its member schools—to provide fresh, delicious, and high-quality lunches that help children stay energised, focused, and ready to learn throughout the day.

• Fresh and Locally Inspired Menus: Through Food for Thought, our menus are freshly prepared, carefully designed to meet rigorous nutritional standards, and regularly updated to feature seasonal ingredients. There are always great choices available, including balanced hot meals, vegetarian options, and wholesome alternatives.

• Catering for Dietary Needs: We work hand-in-hand with our catering team to safely accommodate specific dietary requirements, allergies, and medical needs, ensuring every child can enjoy their lunch with complete confidence.

• A Social and Happy Experience: Lunchtime is a wonderful social part of the school day where children sit together, build friendships, and practice good dining habits in a warm, welcoming environment.

Free School Meals and Eligibility

• Universal Infant Free School Meals: All pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 are automatically entitled to a free school meal every day under the government scheme, regardless of household income.

• Expanded Free School Meal Eligibility: Following recent national updates, Free School Meal access has been expanded. Alongside traditional benefits-related criteria (such as Income Support or specific elements of Pension Credit), eligibility now extends to all households receiving Universal Credit.

  • Targeted Free School Meals remain in place for lower-income Universal Credit households (and qualifying legacy benefits), which also unlocks vital Pupil Premium funding to provide extra learning and pastoral resources for your child.

  • Expanded Free School Meals cover children from households receiving Universal Credit above previous thresholds, ensuring even more families can benefit from daily nutritious school lunches.

• Packed Lunches: Families who prefer to send a packed lunch from home are welcome to do so. We encourage healthy, balanced lunchbox choices that align with our school's healthy eating ethos.

Good food fuels great learning. With fresh, nourishing meals from Food for Thought, we ensure every child feels their best from morning lessons to afternoon play.

Even if your child is in an infant year (EYFS or KS1) or you are unsure if you qualify under the revised criteria, we strongly encourage families to submit an application or check their status. If you have any questions about our current menus, dietary accommodations, or how to check your eligibility, please contact the school office.