Catering at EWA

Catering Manager

Mr M. Geoffrey

Catering Assistants

Mrs J. Bates

Mrs M. Kubiak

Miss M. Diop

Lunchtime Assistants

Mrs N. Rixon

Ms B. Lee

Every child should have the opportunity to be healthy, no matter their circumstances. Healthy, free meals at school help enable all children to have the same opportunities to learn and thrive, no matter where they grow up. The impact has been shown to last well into adulthood, with evidence linking free school meals to improved educational attainment and a host of social, financial and health benefits.

Eligibility for free school meals

Year 7 - year 11 students

To be eligible for free school meals:

• You, as the parent or guardian, must receive Child Benefit for the child you are responsible for.
• You must also receive one of the qualifying benefits listed below.

Qualifying benefits for free school meals:

• Income Support (IS).
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IBJSA).
• An income-related employment and support allowance.
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• Child Tax Credit - provided you aren't entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an income that doesn't exceed the current year's level.
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
• Working Tax Credit during the 4 weeks immediately after your employment finished.
• ​​Universal Credit: your child is only eligible for free school meals under Universal Credit if you and your partner have net earnings of less than £7,400 per year.

If your income changes

If you receive free school meals and start earning more than the allowed amount, your children can still get free meals until the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This is called Transitional Protection.

Transitional Protection only applies to the children you applied for before you started earning more than the allowed amount. If you have younger children who started school after your income went up, they won’t be entitled to free meals.

From the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the government will end this protection for means tested free school meals and you will only be entitled to free meals if you meet the eligibility criteria.

From the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the government will introduce new eligibility criteria, meaning that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free meal. The government have told us they will issue further guidance before September 2026.

Free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

The Department for Education has permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). 

The eligible groups include, but may not be limited to children of:

• Zambrano carers
• Families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
• Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
• A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Chen carers
• Families holding a British National (Overseas) passport
• Spousal visa holders
• Work visa holders
• Student visa holders
• Those with no immigration status

Income thresholds for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

To be eligible for free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds, your annual household income must be under:

• £22,700 for families with 1 child
• £26,300 for families with 2 or more children

You must also not have more than £16,000 in capital and savings.

You may need to provide full bank and building society statements, showing all transactions for the last 2 months for all accounts held, whether in the UK or your home country.

Apply for free school meals

To apply for free school meals:

1. You and your child must both live in the borough of Rochdale or the city of Manchester. If you're claiming from an address in the city of Manchester, your child must attend a school in the borough of Rochdale. If you and your child live in any other borough regardless of where they go to school, you should contact your local council to apply instead.
2. Complete the free school meals online application form below.
3. If we award free school meals for a period you've already paid for, you can request a refund by contacting your school directly.

If you believe your child may be eligible for free school meals, we encourage you to apply here: Free school meals – Rochdale Borough Councill. This can provide valuable support to families and ensure that every child has access to a healthy meal each day.

Information to follow soon...

At Edgar Wood Academy, we believe that healthy eating is essential for our students’ wellbeing, growth, and success. A balanced diet not only supports physical health but also improves concentration, memory, and energy levels - skills that are vital for learning and thriving at school.

Why Healthy Eating Matters
Eating well helps students stay alert and focused during lessons and maintain steady energy throughout the day. It also supports the development of strong bones and muscles, boosts the immune system, and helps students develop positive habits that can last a lifetime.

Building a Balanced Meal
A healthy meal should include a variety of food groups. Fruit and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, and students should aim for at least five portions a day. Starchy foods such as wholemeal bread, rice, pasta, or potatoes provide energy, while protein from sources like meat, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, or vegetarian/vegan alternatives supports growth and repair. Dairy or dairy alternatives, including milk, cheese, or yoghurt, provide calcium and protein. Finally, water and milk are the best choices for staying hydrated.

Healthy Food Swaps
Small changes can make a big difference. For example, swapping white bread for wholemeal bread increases fibre intake, and replacing crisps with plain popcorn, rice cakes, or vegetable sticks provides healthier snacking options. Sugary drinks can be swapped for water or milk, chocolate bars for fruit, yoghurt, or small cereal bars, and fried foods for grilled, baked, or steamed alternatives.

Healthy Packed Lunch Ideas
For students bringing packed lunches, try to include a balanced mix of foods. Wholemeal sandwiches, wraps, or pasta salads provide energy, while fresh fruit and vegetable sticks make for healthy snacks. A portion of protein, such as chicken, tuna, hummus, or boiled eggs, helps support growth. Additional healthy snacks might include yoghurt, cheese, or wholegrain crackers, and drinks should be limited to water or milk rather than fizzy or sugary options. Limiting foods high in sugar, salt, and fat - like sweets, fizzy drinks, and fried snacks - helps students stay energised and focused throughout the day.

Encouraging Positive Habits
At Edgar Wood Academy, we encourage students to try a wide variety of foods and flavours and to share mealtimes with friends, making healthy eating both social and enjoyable. We also support students in making mindful choices about snacks and drinks. By promoting healthy eating both in school and at home, we aim to give every student the best chance to feel their best, learn effectively, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

All our catering staff have received Allergen Awareness training in line with Natasha's Law.

Natasha’s Law, introduced in October 2021, is landmark regulation that has transformed food allergen labelling in the UK.

Natasha’s Law requires all pre-packed foods for direct sale (PPDS) – food made on the premises and packaged for sale, such as sandwiches, salads and cakes - to display a full ingredients list with the top 14 allergens clearly highlighted. The introduction of Natasha’s Law closed a dangerous loophole in food safety, and the greater transparency it provides means people in the UK living with food allergies can have greater confidence that the foods they buy are safe to eat.

Please contact the school if your child has any known food allergies, or if you have any concerns around allergens.

Information to follow soon...