Our school lunches are provided by a company called Dolce. It is a family business with a genuine interest in the welfare of children. Their belief is that pupils should be given a freshly prepared, filling and nutritious lunch using locally sourced ingredients. A two course lunch costs £2.30. Summer Term Menu.

Dolce operate a cashless system called ‘School Grid’ which offers fantastic flexibility for parents.

Benefits for you & your child

  • You can choose to pay by cash, cheque or Direct Debit.  Direct Debit means no hassle finding correct cash.  You can pre-order online for up to a term in one go or you can let your child order in class each morning.
  • You can easily track your account online.  Monthly direct statements will show you what your child has eaten.  You can view all recipes online, including the cooking method, nutrition and artificial ingredients.
  • Our parent feedback system keeps you more in touch.
  • Your children get the dish they want, every day and will spend less time queuing at lunchtime.  Cooks can be shown dietary notes when serving your child which is important for food allergies/intolerances.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

In September 2014 the government introduced a new initiative to all schools in England; Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM). This initiative enables all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to receive a free school meal every day. The initiative does not apply to children in Nursery, Year 3 and Year 4 however, you may be eligible for ‘traditional’ Free School Meals (FSM) – please see the information below.

Free School Meals

Did you know that just by registering your child for free school meals. Stobhillgate will receive extra money?

Pupil premium is money that is given to schools to help close the attainment gap between different groups of pupils (for more detailed information, see our section on Pupil Premium). The vast majority of pupil premium funding is allocated to schools for each student who is registered for free school meals. Since April 2012 this has included any child who has been registered for FSM at any time in the last 6 years.  An additional sum of money is also paid for any pupils who are ‘looked after’ or whose parents are in the armed forces.

We are keen for everyone who is eligible to register for free school meals to do so. If you are registered you may also get help with the cost of other activities such as music tuition or educational visits as well as saving over £350 a year on dinners. Even if you don’t want your child to have a free meal as long as you qualify and are registered we still get the funding for school.

The government has made amendments to the eligibility criteria since April 2018. This is to reflect the introduction of Universal Credit.

PLEASE NOTE: Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit
    • Provided you have an annual net income of no more than £7,400
    • This is assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
    • Provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit run on
    • Paid four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

What do the changes to free school meals mean?

Most people won’t be affected by the new criteria. If you’re currently claiming free school meals, but don’t meet the new criteria, your child will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the Universal Credit roll-out period. 

The roll-out period isn’t scheduled to end until March 2022. Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meals entitlement until the end of their current phase of education, i.e primary to secondary.

To apply simply complete the on-line form at http://www.northumberland.gov.uk or call Free School Meals at County Hall on 01670 623592.  Benefit details for applications can be checked on receipt. However, if confirmation cannot be found, you will be contacted to provide proof of benefit.

For more information, you can also speak to Mrs Mungall or Miss Ferries in the school office.