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Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn - Isle of Anglesey County Council

School meals


The school meals service, operated by Chartwells, is provided at lunchtime in all schools, with a morning break provided in secondary schools and breakfast in all primary schools. A hot midday meal is available to all primary school pupils at no cost, with all students from reception to year 6 eligible.

Chartwells provide a nutritionally balanced compliant menu for pupils and all menus meet the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013, which are approved by the Welsh Local Government Association’s Food in Schools Manager.

  • Our school kitchens follow a 3-week menu cycle designed with the help of the WLGA to create healthy, exciting meals and to encourage healthy lifestyles. Menus are updated twice a year to ensure a seasonal and appropriate menu for the winter and summer periods.
  • A two-course menu is available in primary schools. The main meal includes a hot main meal of the day, a vegetarian option, jacket potatoes & toppings, and homemade pasta & tomato sauce are also available.
  • Water, salad, freshly baked bread, yoghurt and fresh fruit are available every day.

The price is £2.60 per meal in secondary schools. In Anglesey we operate a cashless system. ParentPay is our chosen system to collect school meal payments, where you can pay for meals, check your balance and more.

The secondary school food offer includes a hot main meal, vegetarian options and delicious ‘grab n go’ type dishes for our busy young people. Our offer remains nutritionally compliant and appropriate for the busy lives our students lead. Some of our pupils may be eligible for free school meals. 

Benefits of eating a school meal

The food and drink provided in schools can make a positive contribution towards giving children and young people a healthy balanced diet and encouraging them to develop good eating habits. The aim is to achieve a whole-school approach towards healthy eating and to encourage healthy attitudes to food and drink from an early age. This is in line with the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience within the new Curriculum for Wales.

Other benefits of having a school meal include:

  • Saving time in the mornings by not having to prepare lunch, plus there is no worry about keeping the food fresh and hygienic until lunchtime.
  • School meals offering fresh vegetables, salads and fruit which will contribute towards your child's ‘5 a day’.
  • Sitting down and eating together at a table helps develop social skills and table manners; pupils are also encouraged to try new foods.
  • We hold regular theme days throughout the school year plus a celebratory two course Christmas lunch in December.
  • Children who eat a balanced, healthy diet are more likely to be alert in class and have more energy to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Pupils bringing sandwiches

Provision is made at school. Fresh tap water, laying out facilities such as tables and chairs and clearing and cleaning services as with a normal service are provided to pupils who choose to bring their own food. Schools are encouraged to let the pupils who bring packed lunches sit with those who have school meals. More information about free school meals.

Free schools meals (FSM)

A free school meal (FSM) for pupils in the secondary sector depends on your household income and if you receive certain benefits. If you meet the eligibility criteria it is extremely important that you claim for this. The meal your child receives will be no different and it could mean you are eligible to receive any support available during school holidays or in the event of school closures.

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
  • Child Tax Credit (as long as you don't also get Working Tax Credit and your annual income is £16,190 or less before tax)
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit - your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits

 Apply 

You can apply for free school meals using our online form.

 Free Breakfast Scheme

Currently there are 39 primary schools across the island operating free breakfast. The free breakfast initiative gives children in primary schools the opportunity to receive a free healthy breakfast at school each day.

Breakfast is recognised as the most important meal of the day and evidence shows that a healthy breakfast is linked to better health, concentration and behaviour to achieve their full educational potential at our schools.

The majority of breakfast clubs open at 8:05am and free breakfast is available from 8.25am. The choice of food available should be complaint with the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013 and include all 4 food groups.

  1. Milk and milk-based products
  2. Cereals – not sugar coated
  3. Fruit
  4. Breads
  5. Fruit juice or milk

(Please note that at times there may be a slight variance in our breakfast menu).

Please note that the 20 minutes pre-breakfast care club is charged at £1.25 per child.

Milk

A third of a pint of milk is provided daily, free of charge:

  • to pupils under the age of 7
  • to pupils in special schools
  • to any pupil of primary age who requires milk on medical grounds and in respect of whom a certificate has been submitted by the school’s medical officer.

Primary and secondary school menus

Please download the PDFs to view the current primary and secondary school menus.