School meals

The borough conducted a full procurement exercise in 2017 to seek a supplier for the new Schools Catering Services Contract. The new contract was award from August 2018 - July 2023 to Caterlink Limited, and a further extension was approved until July 2026. 

The school lunch consists of a hot main meal with a vegetarian option, a choice of two vegetables or salad, a carbohydrate item and a dessert of which fresh fruit is a daily option. Chilled drinking water is available free of charge in the dining rooms.

In addition to the school lunch, Caterlink also provides a breakfast and break service for those schools who wish to extend their services for pupils and staff.

For more information please see Caterlink website. 

Free school meals

If you are in receipt of any of the benefits listed below, applications for free school meals can be made through your child's school direct.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

If your child is eligible for free school meals, under Transitional Protections they’ll remain eligible until the end of the 2025/26 school year.  From the start of the 2026/27 school year, the Department for Education will introduce new eligibility criteria meaning that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free meal.  Further guidance will be issued before September 2026.

For more details on free school meals please speak with your child's school direct who will be able to help as each school manage their own arrangements.

Job vacancies

If you are interested in working in a school kitchen helping to provide a school meals service to the pupils and teaching staff, please visit the Borough Catering Contractor's website for details of vacancies.