Catering
We know snacks and mealtimes are an important part of the day. Eating is a social time for pupils and staff and helps pupils to learn about healthy eating. We aim to provide pupils with nutritious, balanced foods which meet pupil’s dietary needs.
Help children to have a balanced diet
There are many ways that we can help our children to develop healthy eating habits. Healthy eating isn’t complicated, and for most children (and adults!) it is means eating less junk food and more fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods. We should also drink water rather than sweetened drinks. Having a good diet helps prevent a range of serious illnesses now and in later life.
Morning snack
All children are offered a piece of fruit depending on the season, e.g. apples, satsumas, pears, bananas and tomatoes as part of the Governments’ Healthy Eating Scheme.
Sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and nuts are not suitable as a snack and must not be brought to school.
Lunchtime
We are proud to work with Chartwells for your children’s school lunches. Chartwells believe that the key to fuelling young minds comes from understanding both what they need and what they enjoy, which is why they develop nutritious and delicious food that pupils love, alongside helping to ensure a healthy body and mind. Their passionate culinary experts work closely with us to ensure every child receives healthy food, perfectly suited to meet their needs and dietary requirements.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 will receive a free hot school meal each day provided by Chartwells. To order your school meals, please visit the ParentPay website via our Useful Links page. Orders need to be placed by midnight Thursday, ten days ahead of the week required. You will have received an activation letter and temporary password to set up your ParentPay account. If you need this resent, please contact your school office via the office@phiacademy.org.uk.
If you prefer your child to have a packed lunch, please ensure you choose a lunchbox and flask that your child can manage to open themselves. You know your child’s appetite best but please try not to overdo it.
Special dietary needs
We have a duty of care to all pupils. We take the management of severe allergies seriously and have procedures in place to minimise the risk of a reaction occuring in a food-allergic child. The academy are committed to raising awareness about allergies to all our academy community and working in co-operation with parents and carers to ensure we provide a safe learning environment for all.
For children with food intolerances and allergies, Chartwells have a dedicated team of medical diet nutritionists on hand to support allergen aware children and their parents. More information on their medical diet process can be found on the Chartwells website. Parents and guardians can also contact the medical diet nutrition team directly on: westsussexspecialdiets@compass-group.co.uk.
Nut allergy awareness
We are not a nut-free environment, but we aim to be as nut-free as we can. It is impossible to provide an absolute guarantee that no nuts will be brought onto the premises but, we will strive to minimise this as much as we can.
We ask all members of the academy community to work together to support this aim.
- Parents and carers are requested not to send food into the academy that contains nuts. This includes all types of nuts, peanut butter, Nutella, cereal/chocolate bars and any other food containing nuts.
- Staff will be alert to any obvious signs of nuts being brought in, but they will not inspect all food brought into school.
- If any actual nuts are found, they will be bagged up and sent home and this child will be asked to eat lunch away from other children and wash their hands before going out to play.
- Children will be asked not to share food.
- Children will be encouraged to wash hands before and after eating.
- Appropriate staff are trained in understanding and dealing with anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) and will use this training as the need arises.
- Chartwells will ensure all cooked food is nut-free.
Free School Meals
If you think you may be eligible for free school meals, please complete the online form.
Free School Meals - West Sussex County Council
Free school meals in all West Sussex maintained and free schools and academies are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of state Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
If you require any assistance or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.