SCHOOL MEALS Service

Our school meals service is provided by Harrison Catering Ltd and consists of a varied menu of hot meals and cold snacks in line with the Government’s new food-based standards for school lunches. In addition, the service provides snacks before school and during the mid-morning break.

The catering service operates on a cashless system. This brings the advantages of a quicker service, a reduced need to bring cash to school, improved monitoring of what students eat and a more modern system where students are becoming used to electronic technology.

Students’ accounts are credited using ParentPay – the automatic on-line payment method (minimum payment £10.00) for which all parents will have a username and password – if you are unsure please contact claire.ingram@davenant.org .

Any amount of money can be paid into your account; money spent on food will be taken out of the system and you will be able to see the balance on your child’s account at the end of each day on ParentPay. It is also possible to provide a report detailing each item of food served and each credit made to the system. It will also show the current balance.

Students who are entitled to a Free School Meal will have their accounts credited automatically and will collect their meals in the normal way.

The operation of these arrangements is based upon a biometric system. This system converts an image of the finger into a digital code which gives each student a unique identification. This is not the same as taking a finger print. The process complies fully with the Data Protection Act and cannot be used to give information to any other organisation. It is hoped that all students will be registered for the biometric system although the use of a card by students is a possible alternative where parents indicate this preference in writing before the start of term. However, it should be noted that the replacement of a lost or damaged card will cost £5. Registration of students for the use of the cashless catering system will take place when you bring your child here to do their CATs test or on their first day in September. Please provide them with money for this day using one of the methods indicated above.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Remember, the first break in the morning is 11.00 a.m. which is a long time to wait for your child, if they have not had breakfast. Make sure they are up early enough in the morning to have a drink and something to eat. If your child has to leave home very early in the morning to catch a bus etc., they can have breakfast here at Davenant. The kitchen opens from 8.00am until 8.30am. We have a good selection of food: fresh fruit, filled muffins and rolls and various drinks. There is a charge for breakfast.

BREAKTIME

A selection of fresh fruit and Breakfast rolls are available.

LUNCHTIME

The School provides a "cafeteria" system and a selection of hot and cold food is available. A main meal plus a sweet will cost approximately £2.35. Students may alternatively bring a packed lunch. There is a rota in operation for school lunches, so key stages will have days when they are first in the queue.