School Meals & ParentPay ordering

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2

All children in EY to Year 2 have the opportunity to have a hot cooked meal in school.

These meals are provided daily by Chartwells and are healthy, tasty, social and fun. Meat and vegetarian options are available every day, and we can cater for children who have other dietary requirements where a menu is agreed in advance. This can include religious, cultural or allergy and/or intolerance diets.

All pupils in Early Years and Key Stage One (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) are entitled to free school meals, however, parents/carers still need to order them via ParentPay. If you qualify for Free School Meals, you still need to order lunches via ParentPay.

Year 3 to Year 6

After your child moves from Year 2 to Year 3 they will no longer be entitled to universal free school meals. You can either provide a lunch for them or purchase a hot school meal.

WEST SUSSEX FREE SCHOOL MEALS (FSM)

There is often confusion for families when moving from year 2 to year 3 with regard to meal arrangements. Universal free school meals cease for ALL children. If a family believes they are entitled to Free School Meals, they must visit the West Sussex Free School Meals site to claim.

To find out if you are eligible and to apply, please click to go to the WSCC website.

Free school meals Information - West Sussex County Council

Apply for Free School Meals Online Form or Paper Application Form

CHARTWELLS & PARENT PAY

Chartwell's are contracted by West Sussex County Council to provide hot school meals to the school.

Using ParentPay you are able to pick a specific meal for your child from a selection for each day your child eats. You will be sent an activation code to create your ParentPay account. To order your child's meal, please click here to be taken to the ParentPay sign in page.

Please have a conversation with your child to ensure that the selections are for meals that your child will eat. You have the option on ParentPay to change selected meals (within specified timescales) if you find that your child does not like them.

MENUS

The menus are set out in a three-week rolling rota. Please click the link below to view the menu.

Orders must be placed no later than 23:59 on the Thursday 10 Days before the week of the menu. A list of ordering cut off dates can be viewed by clicking the link below.

When booking your child’s hot meal through ParentPay, please do not book a “Chartwells Trip Lunch” instead of a hot lunch. This is only an option if your child is out of school on a school trip and does not mean that your child will get a packed lunch provided at school.

If you prefer, children may instead bring in their own packed lunch which they can eat in the school hall. We have children in school who are allergic to nuts, so we do not accept any food containing nuts, nut products or sandwiches made with nut butter in school.

As a school we promote healthy eating and would see the benefits of children being able to sit down to a hot, healthy lunch with their friends every day.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, you can contact Chartwells directly by email: enquiries@chartwells.co.uk or by telephone: 0800 917 6818.

If you have any issues regarding the ordering of meals through ParentPay, please email parent-support@parentpay.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the deadline for ordering meals and why is it so long?

The deadline for ordering meals is midnight on the Thursday 10 days before the meal is to be served. This deadline is dictated to Chartwells by both their suppliers and by the necessary chain of supply that is needed to ensure delivery to all West Sussex Primary Schools.

How do I order my choice of meals?

The choice of meal is made when you order your child's meal. You can choose either a Standard Meal, Vegetarian Meal or Alternative Choice.

My child is sick - how do I cancel the meal (Years 3 to 6 only)?

In the event of sickness absence from school, meals may be cancelled provided Chartwells receive notification by 10.30am on each day of sickness - please phone or e-mail - please do not text.

Please note that cash refunds will not be made. All refunds are subject to a £1 admin fee.

Do Chartwells supply a packed lunch when my child is on a school trip?

If you know your child is on a trip that day, please choose the School Trip packed lunch option.

Do Chartwells cater for children with special dietary requirements?

Special diets will be catered for, provided requests for these are supported by a medical report such as a letter from your GP or hospital dietician. Requests for special diets should be made direct to Chartwell's with a supporting letter. A special menu will then be agreed upon between the parent and the Area Manager for the child's school. Religious diets will be catered for by the vegetarian meal.

Homefield Primary School and SSC