School Meals
Menu
Our school meals are freshly prepared each day in our on-site kitchen. We have an updated lunch menu from 13th April 2026 which is bespoke to Dothill and has been put together by Donna, our cook. She knows the children well and has included all the favourites that Dothill children enjoy. As part of the menu update, egg will be returning to the menu in both hot meals and as a sandwich filling option.
Letter from Mrs Thomas 19th March 2026 with updates
Lunch menu from April 2026 to March 2027
Lunch menu from April 2025 to March 2026
The children order their hot meal via the teacher each morning and eat in the hall. They will be offered a cup of water at lunchtime.
A sandwich lunch is also available. To order please complete the order form and return it to school giving at least one week's notice. If your child always wants the same sandwich on the same day in week 1 and/or week 2 and/or week 3, you only need to complete one form and add a note to that effect and the kitchen will action accordingly. Please add this information in the "notes to kitchen" section. Please note, you will need to complete a new form when the full school menu changes.
Sandwich order form from April 2026
Sandwich order form to March 2026
From 24th February 2026 the cost of a school meal is £3.05 per day. Please ensure there are adequate funds on your child's account to cover the daily cost.
Universal Infant Free School Meals for EYFS and KS1 (Years 1-2)
All children in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) are entitled to a free school meal every day, funded by the government through the Universal Free School Meals scheme. We strongly encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity. By opting in:
• Your child can enjoy nutritious, balanced meals at no cost to you.
• Mealtimes become a positive, social experience, helping children build confidence and try new foods.
• Children are supported in becoming confident, adventurous eaters - a key part of their development.
• The school receives additional funding based on meal uptake, which benefits all pupils.
If you do not wish for your child to receive a free school meal, please write to the Head Teacher to formally opt out of the scheme.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6)
School meals are chargeable for KS2 pupils unless your child qualifies for Free School Meals.
Free School Meals/Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) - all year groups
If you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be entitled to free school meals and PPG. This applies to all children including those in KS1 and EYFS even though they receive UIFSM. Please complete and return an application form so we can check eligibility. Below is a link to the FSM form and further details. For FSM's all children are served the same meals, regardless of payment status, and are treated equally at lunchtime. If your circumstances change, you can complete a new form at any time.
Telford & Wrekin Council | Free School Meals
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, your child may also be eligible to the Pupil Premium Grant - additional funding that supports your child’s education. A letter and registration form are included in your new starter pack; please complete and return the form to school as soon as possible.
Paying for School Meals
All meals must be paid for in advance via ParentPay (we do not accept cash or cheques).
• Please allow 24 hours for payments to reach the kitchen system.
• Children are checked in by name to ensure they receive the correct meal.
• Please ensure your ParentPay account is always in credit; you will not receive reminders from school about low balances or arrears.
• We operate a zero-tolerance policy on meal arrears. If your account falls into arrears, you must provide a packed lunch until the balance is cleared.
• If no lunch is provided and the account is in arrears, your child will be given an emergency meal (cheese sandwich, yoghurt, and fruit) at a cost of approximately 75p.
Please click this link to check your school meal balance & pay for school meals
Packed Lunches (KS2 only)
If you prefer to send a packed lunch:
• Please include a separate drink (cold, non-fizzy, in a plastic bottle or carton).
• If including a yoghurt or dessert, please provide a spoon.
• Avoid using plastic sandwich bag ties with metal strips, as these can be hazardous.
Food and Drink
We promote healthy habits throughout the school day and ask for your support with the following
areas.
Water Bottles
Water is essential for children’s health, concentration, and wellbeing. We encourage all children to drink
water regularly throughout the day using their own individual water bottles, which are kept in a
designated area in each classroom for easy access.
• All children should bring a suitable plastic water bottle from home.
• Please ensure the bottle is clearly named, filled with plain water, and taken home regularly for
cleaning.
• If a child runs out of water during the day, they may ask for their bottle to be refilled.
Break-Time Snacks
We encourage children to eat fresh fruit at break time.
• Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) are provided with a free piece of fruit daily as part of the government’s healthy eating scheme.
• Children in Key Stage 2 may bring a piece of fresh fruit from home.
• Please do not send any other snacks into school.
• A free carton of milk is also offered to children at least twice a week.
Healthy Eating
Our school follows a Healthy Eating Policy.
• Please do not send sweets, chocolates, lollies, cakes, etc., into school for birthdays, holidays, or other celebrations.
• We also ask that sweets and chocolates are not included in lunchboxes.
• For more information, please refer to our Food in Schools Policy.
Dietary Requirements/Allergies
When your child starts school, the PIR has a dietary requirement/allergy form that we ask you to complete. If after starting at the school your child develops an allergy or has a new dietary requirement, please complete and return a new copy of the form to the school office, link below.
We understand that every child is unique. If your child has specific dietary requirements, please contact us—we are happy to accommodate individual needs wherever possible.
Allergy Awareness to March 2026
Currently we are a nut and egg free school due to severe allergies among children and staff. Please do not send food containing nuts or pure egg, including:
• Nut-based chocolate spreads (e.g. Nutella)
• Nut-based biscuits or snack bars
• Egg sandwiches or similar items
Allergy Awareness from April 2026
As part of the menu update, egg will be returning to the menu in both hot meals and as a sandwich filling option.
- Our kitchen does not use any nut products in the preparation of school meals.
- However, we cannot guarantee that the school environment is completely nut‑free, as foods brought into school from home may contain traces of allergens.
- We therefore continue to ask for your support in avoiding sending nuts into school, including nut‑based spreads (e.g. Nutella) and snacks.
The safety of all children remains our priority. We will continue to manage allergies carefully, follow individual healthcare plans, and remind staff and pupils about good hygiene and safe practices around food.