All primary school pupils in the county borough are now entitled to a universal primary free school meal. The scheme is part of the Welsh Government Universal Primary Free School Meals initiative.
Parents and carers of primary pupils are reminded that there is no need to complete an application, as pupils will automatically benefit from the provision.
The menus are on a three week rotation. This ensures variety with a focus on fresh fruit, vegetables and salads.
Due to our commitment to healthy eating:
Please note that our menus/food may contain allergens.
A menu plan can be created specifically for your child.
Medical/dietetic information will be needed, and our nutritionally trained management team will work with you to prepare a suitable menu.
We will inform your child’s school and catering team who will be told about the allergy/intolerance and receive the menu daily.
To discuss your child’s needs, contact Catering Services:
Does your child have a food allergy/intolerance or a medical condition, which would require them to need a Medically Prescribed Diet? If so, Catering Services has an online facility where a medically prescribed diet can be requested.
To request a special diet, simply complete the application form:
Please ensure you have a copy of a recent medical letter confirming the diagnosis and required diet, as this will need to be uploaded during the application.
The requirement for medical confirmation is to protect the health of your child and ensure that there is a medical need to restrict their diet. Providing a very restricted diet without medical need could potentially be harmful to the child without the support of a health professional. We cannot process your request until we have received this.
Once we have received the form, you will either receive a special diet menu for your approval by email or we will contact you to discuss your child’s requirements in more detail before sending a menu out to you. Please allow up to 3 weeks for your menu to arrive.
To protect the health of your child, please provide your child with a packed lunch from home until you have received the confirmed start date.
Please note: Even with proactive cross contamination control measures, multiple handling processes in the supply chain do present the potential for trace ingredients to remain present. We cannot control the food brought into the dining environment by other customers.
This scheme provides free, healthy breakfasts every school day.
Breakfast clubs run in all primary schools across Bridgend County Borough.
They serve cereal, toast, fruit wedges and a choice of milk or fruit juice.
Contact your local school to find out more.
In Bridgend County Borough, free school milk is given to:
Subsidised milk is offered to seven to eleven year olds at a small number of schools. Please contact your school for more information.
Goat, sheep and lactose-reduced milk can be offered at a school’s discretion, but non-dairy alternatives are not provided.
The scheme is optional for schools, and some of them might offer free milk to their younger pupils, but not to older ones - School Milk Subsidy Scheme
Primary menus comply with the Welsh Government’s Healthy Eating in Schools' food, drink and nutrient standards.
School catering holds an excellent reputation for cleanliness and hygiene. We meet all health, safety and hygiene regulations.
Purchasing procedures source safe ingredients and ensure appropriate delivery and storage methods to maintain the highest levels of food safety.
From 1 October 2021 new legislation known as Natasha’s Law came into force. The new legislation applies to any food business that would provide pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) food including primary and secondary schools, universities and nurseries that provide food.
For food provided within a school setting, this means changes to labelling of sandwiches and baguettes only, as these are made and pre-packaged on the premises before the consumer orders them. Allergenic ingredients must be emphasized within labelling list.
PPDS does not include food that is not in packaging. Food placed into packaging or plated at the consumers request is not PPDS.
If you are the parent or guardian of a child in school, you may be eligible for a grant to help to pay for essential school items.
