CHISENHALE SCHOOL MEALS

Introduction.

We have been working closely with the charity Chefs in Schools and Tower Hamlets’ Healthy Lives team to develop our school lunches. 

Our Head Chef, David, and his team are passionate about providing our children with healthy and delicious meals every day, which cater to the dietary requirements of all our pupils.    

We always encourage the children to try the food, we never force them to eat, as we understand that everybody has different tastes and we want our pupils to develop a healthy attitude towards eating. 

If the children enjoyed their meal and are still hungry, they are encouraged to ask for a second helping!

Family style dining.

We have adopted the ‘family style dining’ approach to serving our meals, which has been promoted across the borough by the Tower Hamlets’ Healthy Lives team. 

Children sit with their peers in the hall to eat their lunches.  Food is served in serving dishes directly to their tables, and children are encouraged to share and serve the food to one another. 

This has had a positive impact, and we have noticed that children are now eating more food, as they can easily help themselves to more if they want it.  They are also now trying out a range of food, as it is on the table in front of them, and they can see their peers trying it too.      

There is always an option of two main dishes at lunchtime, which is usually a vegetarian and a meat/fish option.

To this children can then add a side portion, such as bread or rice, and roasted vegetables or raw vegetables. 

Water is offered to all children at lunchtime.

We recently achieved our Gold Healthy Schools Award and as a result, we are committed to not serving puddings after lunch, as this contributes to childhood obesity and tooth decay. 

Instead, children may choose from healthy fresh fruit, greek yoghurt with fruit compote or cheese and crackers.

Our dedicated midday meal supervisors are always on hand to support children with their eating and to promote good lunchtime behaviours. 

All food prepared in our school is Halal, including all meat dishes.   

Please click HERE for our School Food Policy

Packed lunches.

Some children may wish to bring in a packed lunch on certain days. 

Please ensure packed lunches contain a healthy sandwich or other suitable main meal.  Sweet sandwich fillings such as chocolate spread and jam are not allowed. 

We are committed to healthy eating and as such, packed lunches must not contain sugary snacks.  This means no crisps, fizzy drinks, chocolate, biscuits or sweets.  Instead, children may bring in yoghurt, fruit, or cheese and crackers. 

Please note, we also have a whole-school no nuts or sesame policy due to severe allergies in the cohort.  This also applies to packed lunches brought from home and we advise parents to check labels carefully to ensure food items do not contain any nuts.   

Cost of school lunches. 

At present, all children from Reception to Year 6 are entitled to free school meals, funded by national and local governments. 

Nursery children pay for their lunches and parents and carers may pay on a daily, weekly or monthly basis at the school office.  School lunches must be paid for before they are eaten. 

School lunches cost £3.00 each day and £15.00 for the week.  You can pay for lunches online using our Arbor system or with a debit/credit card in the school office or over the phone.

 

How you can help promote positive attitudes to food.

  • Encourage your child to try new foods at home.
  • Don’t insist that your child finish their food if they are no longer hungry. 
  • Allow your child to safely practise using a knife and fork when they are eating.
  • Encourage them to wash their hands before they eat and to stay seated whilst they eat.
  • If you can, try to have family meal times together, where everyone gets the chance to chat about their day.  This will help to build your child’s positive relationship with food and eating. 

New Menu AUTUMN 2025

Please click here to view our exciting new Autumn menu