School meals are available at our school and are very popular. They are prepared on the premises by Caterlink, using a choice system.

From 1st April 2025 school meals cost £2.85 per day and payment is made via the ParentPay system. This system allows parents to pay for meals online using a debit or credit card (there is a school computer available for parents who do not have internet access at home), or using a Paypoint card at local stores. Children are able to choose what main course they would like for lunch with their class teacher at morning registration and are given a wristband to denote the choice they have made.

Facilities are provided for children with packed lunches and children eat in the dining hall or outside, weather permitting, under supervision. Your co-operation is sought on the following points:-

• the container used to bring lunch to school is clearly marked with your child’s name
• only plastic drink containers are permitted
• no sweets or nuts are allowed

Children may bring a healthy snack for break time (fruit is preferred).

Free School Meals Eligibility

Changes to Free School Meals from September 2026 mean that more families may now be eligible.

Applying for FSM is important because, in addition to providing free meals for your child(ren), it may also help the school receive additional funding (Pupil Premium) to support your child's education.

Our school now uses the LGfL FSM Checking Service rather than Warwickshire County Council.

To check your eligibility via LGfL please click on the following link:

Free School Meals checking service

Our school details should auto populate when you click the link but please double check to make sure they are correct.

You will need:

• Your name and date of birth

• Your National Insurance number

• Details of your child(ren)

• An email address and mobile number

Results are usually provided within minutes and will be shared with both you and the school.

Important: Families who currently receive Free School Meals must complete a new application before September 2026, as our new system is not linked to the previous Warwickshire County Council service.

Nut Aware (Benedict's Law)

 

From September 2026, all schools are legally required to follow Benedict’s Law - more information can be found by clicking here (you will be taken to the Benedict Blythe Foundation's website).

In light of this new law, Dunchurch Boughton CofE (VA) Junior Academy will continue to aim to be a Nut-Free school.  We aim to protect children who have allergies to nuts yet also help them, as they grow up, to take responsibility as to what foods they can eat and to be aware of where they may be put at risk.  We do not allow nuts or nut products in school lunch boxes.

Being 'Nut Free' means that the following items should not be brought into school:

• Packs of nuts
• Peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches
• Fruit and cereal bars that contain nuts
• Chocolate bars or sweets that contain nuts
• Sesame seed rolls (children allergic to nuts may also have a severe reaction to sesame)
• Cakes made with nuts
• Any home cooked meals for packed lunches that are made from nuts

Caterlink, our school catering company, follows Natasha's Law and the food they prepare on site is nut free. 

However, we cannot guarantee freedom from nut traces and therefore it is not possible to guarantee and enforce a nut free zone. Staff cannot monitor all lunches and snacks brought in from home. A free from environment creates a false sense of security and does not safely prepare children for environments where nuts may be present. 

What types of food are nuts?
Almonds 
Cashew nuts
Hazelnut
Pistachio 
Walnuts
Brazil nuts
Nut oils
Peanuts

Parents and carers must notify staff if their child has any known or suspected allergy to nuts and provide all medical and necessary information. This will be added to your child’s care plan and if necessary, a meeting organised with the school nurse. 

Homemade snacks must have a label detailing all ingredients present and the kitchen environment where the food was prepared must be nut free. If you are unsure about a selection, please speak to a staff member before bringing the food item into school.

The school requests that parents and carers observe the nut-free policy and therefore do not include nuts, or any traces of nuts, in packed lunches.

All children are regularly reminded about the good hygiene practice of washing hands before and after eating which helps to reduce the risk of secondary contamination. Likewise, children are reminded and carefully supervised to minimise the act of food sharing with their friends.

Our allergy leads are Emma Darragh (Headteacher) and Helen Couzens (Academy Business Partner 

• Food Allergy Leaflet

• Allergy UK This website provides helpful information and resources about allergies