Lunchtime and Snacks
School MealsÂ
As of 20th April 2026, our school meals are cooked on-site every day by Caterlink. A three week rolling menu is published three times a year to keep the food choices varied and seasonal.
Each day, children can choose from a meat, vegetarian or jacket potato main meal. There are also different sides (including a daily salad bar) and puddings available each day.
School meals or packed lunch?
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 qualify for a free school meal every day. Families can choose not to take this meal and instead provide their child with a packed lunch. Children in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) can choose whether to order a school meal (£2.90 per day – from 20th April 2026) or bring in a packed lunch.
All school meals must be booked and paid for in advance. Meals can be ordered up until 8:30am on the day required. Please see below for more details.
What if my child has a Dietary Requirement?
Food Allergens: The team is fully trained in allergen management. If your child has a food allergy, please complete the Food Allergy & Intolerance Form online – CTL – Food Allergy & Intolerance Form V2.  Please note that this will need to be accompanied by medical evidence. Raysfield and Little Rays’ unit number is 7795, you will need to match this number to the unit number stated on the form.
Dietary Preferences – Pupils with a lifestyle or religious choice (such as halal or vegan) will not need to complete the Food Allergy & Tolerance Form. This information is captured in the Arbor system and will be shared with Caterlink.Â
How do I order and pay for a school meal for my child?
School meals must be ordered online using your Arbor Parent Portal. The menu is shown for each day. There is lots of help and guidance available.
Water
Children may bring a clear, named bottle of plain water with a ‘sports type’ top to allow regular sipping and to avoid spillage. These will be kept in a central place in the classroom where children have free access to them during the day.
Raysfield is a nut free school
We have children with nut allergies. Please do not include nuts (or nut based products) in your child’s packed lunch, or snacks. Thank you.
Free School Meals
Some families will qualify for free school meals and we would strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you are eligible (even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2). As well as your child receiving a free meal, the school also receives additional income (the Pupil Premium) to support your child’s learning.
To apply online, click here to go to the South Gloucestershire website.
If you have any questions, please contact the ‘Children and Young People Information Service’ on 01454 868008 or email cis@southglos.gov.uk
The information below is taken from South Gloucestershire’s website:
Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods, and your monthly average income over three assessment periods should be no more than £616.67)
- 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 Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Healthy Lunch Boxes
If your child brings a packed lunch into school then we ask that it contains a healthy, nutritionally balanced selection of food items. Download: Packed-Lunches-leaflet.  For more information about healthy lunchboxes, visit the ‘Change 4 Life‘ website.