School Meals
Here at Downsbrook, we follow government guidance on healthy eating and encourage all children to eat a balanced diet that provides appropriate levels of nutrition to enable good levels of concentration on learning.
Snacks and Drinks
All children have access to water in their classrooms and we ask that all children have a clearly labelled water bottle for use in school, we also have water bottles for £2.50 available from the school office & they can be purchased through Arbor. We do not allow drinks other than water during the school day. For morning breaktime, all children should be sent to school with a snack. We do request that these are healthy snacks such as a piece of fruit, carrot sticks or slow release carbohydrate based products. Children are not permitted to have high sugar, crisps or chocolate based snacks. For more information on healthy snacks please visit the NHS change4life website.
School Lunches
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.
The current meal price is £3.09
How to order: Log on at www.parentpay.com to choose and book your meals. Orders need to be placed by midnight Thursday, ten days ahead of the week required. For example, meals for the week starting Monday 12th would have an order deadline of Thursday 1st.
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.
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 here: The Chartwells Approach to Medical Diets | Chartwells
Parents and guardians can contact the medical diet nutrition team directly on: westsussexspecialdiets@compass-group.co.uk.
To find out more about Chartwells, visit their website or contact the school catering team. Weblink: https://www.chartwells.co.uk/west-sussex/
Free School Meals Eligibility and How to Apply
We want to make sure that we are providing your child with the best education and support we can. Healthy & nutritious food has positive health benefits and can help pupils establish healthy habits for life. Healthy food can also help to improve pupils' readiness to learn.
Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for free school meals.
Please click on the link below to see if your child is eligible for Free school meal eligibility and how to apply. If you need help apply please contact the school office on 01903 230467 and we will be happy to help you through the process.
How to apply for Free School Meals and eligibility
Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF)
The HAF programme is fully funded by the Department for Education and offers children who are entitled to benefits related free school meals the opportunity to attend participating holiday activity clubs and have a free meal.
Benefits-related free school meals (FSM) are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits and have a claim verified by West Sussex County Council.
For further information on how to apply for FSM, please see the link above.
Eligible children can attend their chosen HAF provision for a maximum of four days per week for one week at Easter, four weeks during the Summer and one week at Christmas.
For more information on family holiday activities and food programme (HAF)
School meals /How to book meals and events - mobile phone view
New 3 Week Menu summer term 2025
Cut off-order dates summer term 2025
HAF Booking System – User Guide
Activities and Food HAF Programme flyer
Healthy Eating
In school we always encourage healthy eating please click the links below for lots of great recipes ideas & activities to encourage the whole family to choose healthier options.