School Meals Information and Menu

School Meals

St Helens Borough Council's Catering Service provides more than 7,000 meals a day in the majority of primary schools across the borough, with high quality and family friendly nutritious menus.

All meals are compliant with the national School Food Standards over the course of a three-weekly menu cycle served by helpful, understanding, and experienced catering staff.

School meals offer a daily selection of main meals and desserts, and access to a fresh fruit and salad selection. Children can sit down together and enjoy their meal while developing their social interactive skills. 

Before December 2024, children on school meals will be able to order their meals in advance using the new School Grid system! Watch this space for more information on how to order meals from the comfort of your own home!

Please book and pay for school meals via School Spider. Meals are charged at £2.60 per day. We needs 1 weeks notice of any changes. Thank you.

Applying for free school meals

Your child will be eligible for free school meals if you (or your partner) are in receipt of any of the following:

• Universal Credit and net earnings are no more than £7,500 per year (£616.67 in your last assessment period, £1,233.34 over last two assessment periods or £1,850 over last three assessment periods)

• 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 are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income, as assessed by HMRC, of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit 'run on' - paid for 4 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 receive free school meals.

Once eligible, your child will continue to receive free school meals in primary or secondary school until they have finished their current phase of education i.e. primary (Year 6) or secondary (Year 11).   

From 1 April 2025, if your child moves between primary and secondary school you will need to reapply for free school meals.

St Helens residents - Please click the link to apply for free school meals.

Knowsley residents - Please click the link to apply for free school meals.