School Lunches
School Meals
At Squirrel Hayes First School your Child can choose a different option for dinner every day of the week! Our School dinners cost just £3.25 and can be paid by using your Parent Pay (please see the link to parent pay on the homepage)
If your child has any food intolerances, allergies, or specific dietary requirements, please ensure this information is shared with our catering provider, Edwards & Ward. Keeping them informed helps us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all children during meal and snack times. You can report any dietary needs or updates by clicking the link below.
https://edwardsandward.co.uk/special-diets/
Edwards & Ward
Please see below for the new menu for the Autumn Terms 2026-2027
Please see below for the new menu for the Spring-Summer Terms 2025-2026
Applying for free school meals
You can only apply online if you meet the low-income criteria. Schools should not use this service to check eligibility for Early Years Pupil Premium but should check via the Early Years Funding Portal.
If you wish to apply under the no recourse to public funds criteria a different application form applies
If you don’t meet the low-income criteria, your child can still get universal infant free school meals in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. For this, contact your child’s school directly.
If your application cannot be confirmed at the time you apply, please do not contact us before 30 days after you applied, as we will carry out rechecks for you during that time and let you know if you are then found as eligible.
If the school you want to apply for is not listed, please contact the school.
If you already have a free school meal at one of the schools using our service, you do not need to re-apply for September as we will automatically check if your child is eligible as either a 'Targeted' or 'Expanded' free school meal.
Moving schools and free school meals
If your child is changing schools in September (for example, from primary to high school), and they already get free school meals you do not need to apply again. This applies if you are moving between Staffordshire schools (except those listed under “Do you deal with applications for all Staffordshire schools?”).
We will:
- Check your child’s eligibility under both the 'Targeted' and 'Expanded' criteria
- Move the claim to the new school automatically, if your child still qualifies
https://fsm.app.staffordshire.gov.uk/
After completing an application you can print a copy of the confirmation page or take a screenshot to show to the school for meals to start immediately. If you are unable to do this you can still make your application online, but will need to wait for us to advise the school before you can start to receive the free school meals.
Your data
We handle any personal data you give us securely and in line with data protection law.
What we collect
- Your child’s name, address and date of birth
- Current and previous school names
- Parent or guardian name, address and date of birth
- National Insurance number or asylum seeker number
- Details of benefits you claim
- Your email address
How we use your data
We use this information to process your child’s free school meals application and provide an alternative provision if necessary.
We keep your application for 6 years after it’s processed. After that, we destroy it securely.
Who we share your data with
We share your data with schools and other agencies so they can provide free school meals or alternative provision.
To check your entitlement, we share parent or guardian details (name, date of birth, National Insurance number or asylum seeker number) with the Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking Engine. This system also shares information with:
- Home Office
- Department for Work and Pensions
- HM Revenue and Customs
Keeping your details up to date
Please tell us if your details or your child’s details change.
Questions or concerns
Contact the Free School Meals Service if you have questions about how we use your information.
Read more about how we use your data in our privacy notice and your data pages.
Additional criteria: families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Families with NRPF may also be eligible. Find out more and apply.
Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (Universal)
From September 2014, if you have an infant age child (those in Reception, year 1 or year 2) they can receive free school meals even if you don't meet the criteria and without completing an application for them - for more information please contact the school office.