School Meals

HCL offers tasty, balanced healthy food to help children learn and develop, on a three weekly menu cycle.  They also offer an award winning ordering and payment system from ‘School Grid’, featuring cashless payment options for parents. Orders and payments will be made by the parent from home, online. You can order as few or as many as you want, for when you want.

Please find below some FAQ’s.  New parents will receive their login details just prior to their child starting with us.

Menu: Summer/Autumn 2024

 

My child has a food allergy, how will this be catered for and what do I need to do? If your child has a food allergy you will need to apply for a special diet as soon as possible.  Simply go to www.hcl.co.uk and click on the ‘Allergies’ tab at the top of the website and follow the instructions to apply for an allergy specialised meal for your child.
How do I order and pay for a lunch for my child?  You will need to log into your ‘SchoolGrid’ account to order meals and, if applicable, pay for them. If you are experiencing technical difficulties you can call SchoolGrid directly on 01506 300310.

If you have not booked a hot dinner for your child, we will expect that you will have supplied them with a packed lunch for the day.  If you have not supplied a packed lunch, we will expect you to bring one into school before lunchtime.  We are unable to book dinners on your behalf.
Do I still need to order a meal for my child if my child is entitled to a Free School Meal or Universal Infant Free School Meal? Yes.  You will still need to order your child’s food choices through the SchoolGrid website.
How often can I make a menu choice? Our current manual system means that you cannot make menu changes after the first 3 week cycle in a term has passed, and meals have to be booked in advance.  However, with our new supplier you can make your menu choices as often as you would like.  The parent is in control of ordering their child foods, with their child.  Parents will be able to order a meal for their child up to 8.50am on any given day, for that day.
Will HCL still accept cash or cheque? We are moving to a cashless ordering system so HCL cannot accept cash or cheque.
Why are deserts not listed on HCL menus? Each day there will a choice between a delicious desert of the day, fruit, yoghurt or cheese and biscuits.

Packed Lunches

Children can bring a packed lunch if preferred.  The school encourages parents and carers to provide children with packed lunches that promote healthy eating.  Please note that we are a nut avoidance school.  Please do not bring any items into school that contain nuts (this includes items such as chocolate spread and chocolate pancakes (many of which contain nuts)).

Click here to find useful ways of getting more veg into your child’s lunchbox.

 

Free School Meals (Not to be confused with Universal Infant Free School Meals for years R-2)

Are you eligible to apply for Free School Meals for your children?
Would you like to save at least £300 a year?
You may qualify if you are in receipt of any of the following:
– Income Support
– Income based Job Seekers Allowance
– Employment and Support Allowance (Income related)
– Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit
– National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS)
– Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190

If you feel you may be eligible for this support, please call Central Bedfordshire Council on 0300 300 8306 to apply or obtain for further advice.