Catering Provider

Cupcakes Catering provides our daily four-choice school menu.  The three-week menu can be found below. 

Cost

Meals are free to parents for all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 under the Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) scheme, as well as for pupils who qualify for income-based Free School Meals (FSM).

For pupils in Years 3–6, the meals are available at a cost of £2.75.

Important Information

• You must order all meals online, even UFSM and FSM.
• Send in your orders by 3:30 PM on Wednesday the week before you need them. For example: for the week starting Monday, 7th September, order by 3:30 PM on Wednesday, 2nd September.

How to Order

• Open the Arbor App on your phone or device.

• Pick your child's name from the menu.

• Tap the three lines at the bottom left.

• Click the meals icon.

• Choose the 2026-2027 academic year.

• Pick your food choices and pay if you need to.

• Do this for each child you have at the school.

Free School Meals - Eligibility Categories

• Targeted Free School Meals: For households receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings of £7,400 or less (or other legacy qualifying benefits/NRPF). These pupils also attract Pupil Premium and extra funding. 

• Expanded Free School Meals: For households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400. These pupils qualify for meals only and do not attract Pupil Premium. 

Parents can quickly check eligibility and apply for free school meals online by clicking:  Apply for Free School Meals. 

 While all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 receive universal free meals, applying for income-based Free School Meals (FSM) provides essential targeted support for your child and secures extra vital funding for our school. 

 The application is completely secure, private, and checked quickly by the local authority. 

How to Apply

• Visit the Worcestershire County Council Website (https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/schools-education-and-learning/free-school-meals/apply-free-school-meals. 
• Fill out the online application form with your national insurance number.
• Get an instant decision on your family's eligibility status.

Milk and Fruit

Nursery pupils in the UK get free milk to support early childhood nutrition, bone growth, and general health. Under the government-funded Nursery Milk Scheme, children under five attending approved daycare or nurseries for two or more hours a day receive 189ml (one-third of a pint) of free milk daily. 

Pupils aged 4 to 6 (Reception & Key Stage 1) get a free daily piece of fruit or vegetable through the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. This programme aims to improve child nutrition, encourage healthy eating habits from an early age, and boost classroom attention and behavior. Key Stage 2 pupils may bring a healthy snack or fruit to eat at playtime.

Lunchtime Activity

At Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, we recognise that play is an essential part of children’s learning and development, complementing the teaching they receive in the classroom.

During lunchtime, children have the opportunity to engage in a variety of purposeful and enjoyable activities that support their physical, social, and emotional growth. Playtime is carefully planned to encourage creativity, physical skills, and positive interactions, ensuring that all children can participate and benefit.

We believe that playtime is not just a break from learning but a valuable time where children develop important skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and physical coordination.

Our outdoor play areas and resources are designed to provide stimulating and inclusive experiences that cater to different interests and abilities.

We are committed to continually improving playtime opportunities and welcome the support of parents and carers in this important aspect of your child’s school day.

Click here to see further information on our approach to 'playing and learning' on the school website.