Healthy schools

Milk

A number of children are entitled to free school milk:

  • School milk is free for children under the age of five.

  • School milk is free for children entitled to free school meals (selected schools only)

  • School milk is subsidised for all other children in primary education.

To view the Coolmilk website, please click here, alternatively you can register your child here

School Lunches

Our schools benefit from school meals being provided by The Farm Kitchen, who are dedicated to providing freshly prepared, delicious school meals made using the highest quality ingredients. Please click here to find out more.

We are about to embark upon an online ordering system for meal orders, where parents may order their child's meals using their credit/debit card. For parents wishing to continue to pay the school by cheque the current ordering system is still possible. Digby meals may be ordered online for meals starting from Monday 19th September and Dunston anticipate using the system for meals required after the half term break, i.e. from Monday 31st October 2011.

Orders made direct to the school, via the current paper order form and cheque payment, still need to be ordered by the Monday of the week prior to meals being required (term time weeks only). The deadline for orders made via the online system may be made up to midnight on the Wednesday of the week prior to meals being required.

Please register for the online ordering system by clicking here

Free School Meals

A free meal will include a hot meal and dessert. When a hot meal is not available, for example during school trips, a healthy balanced packed lunch will be provided (e.g. sandwich, portion of fruit, cheese, cake and fruit juice).

You are entitled to free school meals for your children if you receive any of the following:

  • Income Support

  • Income based Job Seeker's Allowance

  • Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

  • Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190 (as at April 2010) and do not get Working Tax Credit Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

  • Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)

  • Please note: If you, or your partner, receive any working tax credit you will not be entitled to free school meals.


The quickest way to apply for free school meals is to apply online, you can do this by using the link on the right hand side of this page or by clicking here.

If you would like us to use this online system to check your entitlement you must complete all your personal details with care including Name, National Insurance Number and Date of Birth. Please ensure when you apply for free school meals that you confirm you agree to the declaration, without this consent we will not be able to process your application.

Alternatively you can get a paper based application form from:

  • Digby or Dunston school

  • Calling our Customer Service Centre on 01522 782030

  • Schools Services Section, Lincolnshire County Council, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YQ

It is very important to us that you apply for free school meals if you think that you are entitled to them, as this triggers further funding to run your child's school. This additional funding helps us to provide a better education and opportunities for your child. Whilst we would encourage you to take up the meals that we are able to provide, we understand that for one reason, or another, you may not always wish to do so. Under these circumstances please discuss this with the school office.

Service Families

If either of a pupil's parents are members of the armed forces please contact the school office to notify us. This also triggers funding for the school.

Free Fruit and Vegetables

The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is part of the 5 A DAY programme to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Under the Scheme, all four to six year old children in LEA maintained infant, primary and special schools will be entitled to a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day. It was introduced after the NHS Plan 2000 included a commitment to implement a national school fruit scheme by 2004.

For further information for parents please view here.

Water

All children are encouraged to bring water bottles into their classrooms. Filtered water is available for children to fill their bottles between class times and bottles may remain on your child's desk for use when required. Any other drinks, such as squash, may only be consumed with your child's lunch due to the links between water, dehydration, health and learning.

How does drinking water link to health?

  • Drinking adequate amounts of water regularly throughout the day can protect health and contribute to well-being.

  • Drinking adequate amounts of water can help prevent a range of short and long-term health problems from headaches, bladder, kidney and bowel problems to cancer.

  • Water has none of the health problems associated with drinks containing sugar, additives, sweeteners, acids or caffeine.

How does drinking water improve learning?

  • The key to boosting the capacity to learn is to keep well hydrated throughout the day.

  • When we are thirsty mental performance including memory, attention and concentration can decrease by about 10 per cent

  • Pupils concentrate better because they are not distracted by the effects of dehydration such as thirst, tiredness and irritability

  • Can aid behaviour management by helping to settle pupils in the classroom.

Children will achieve more when both their health and learning needs are met. Ensuring free access to water and promoting a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital role for schools in promoting health and providing a healthy learning environment

For further information on school nutrition and school lunches please refer to the governments website by clicking here.