🍽️ Our New School Meals Provider – Aspens

We’re excited to introduce Aspens as our new school meals provider at High Halden Church of England Primary School!

Aspens are experts in school catering, passionate about providing delicious, nutritious, and freshly prepared meals that children love.

👩‍🍳 Who Are Aspens?

Aspens work with schools across the country to deliver wholesome, balanced meals packed with flavour and goodness. Their mission is to fuel learning through food by offering dishes that are healthy, sustainable, and exciting.

Visit their website to find out more:
🌐 www.aspens-services.co.uk

🥗 What’s on the Menu?

Aspens create seasonal menus that are varied and full of choice. Here’s what you can expect:

🍝 Hot & Cold Options – freshly cooked meals each day, with vegetarian choices and allergy-friendly alternatives.
🍓 Healthy & Balanced – in line with School Food Standards and packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole foods.
🌍 Global Flavours – dishes inspired by tastes from around the world.
🎉 Themed Days & Fun Menus – to keep lunch exciting and celebrate special occasions!

Click here to view our current menu. Please check the dates on the side to find the relevant week (as it is a 3-week rotating menu). 

At High Halden Church of England Primary School, we aim to make lunchtimes enjoyable, flexible, and stress-free for both children and families.

🎒 Free School Meals for Younger Children

👶 EYFS, Year 1 & Year 2:
All children in these year groups receive a free school lunch every day as part of the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) initiative.

No need to apply — it’s automatic!

🧒 Years 3 to 6: Meal Costs

🍽️ Children in Years 3–6 can enjoy a school meal for £2.50 per day.

💳 Payments should be made in advance via the school office. If you need help or have questions, please get in touch with us!

🔄 Flexible Meal Choices

We know that children’s tastes and needs change — and we support that! Our approach to school lunches is flexible:

👩‍🏫 Teacher Displayed Menu – Each day, teachers share the meal options in class so that children can make an informed choice based on what’s on offer.

📅 Daily Choice – Children can decide each morning with their teacher whether they’d like a school dinner or a packed lunch from home.

🍱 Mix & Match – There’s no need to stick to one option all week. Pupils can switch between school meals and packed lunches as they wish.

💡 A Note for Families

We ask that all paid meals are settled in advance via the school office. Children place their lunch order each morning with their teacher — giving them independence and choice at the start of their day.

 

✅ Free School Meals & UIFSM

🍽️ Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM):
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal every day.

💰 Free School Meals (FSM):
If you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, please speak to us or apply via the Kent County Council website.

🌱 Promoting Healthy Habits

At High Halden, we want children to enjoy food and learn healthy habits for life. With Aspens, we’re proud to offer:

🥕 Fresh, nutritious meals every day
🧠 Food that fuels focus and learning
💬 Opportunities to explore food, taste, and culture

🥪 Packed Lunches at High Halden

We encourage healthy, balanced packed lunches that help children stay energised and ready to learn throughout the school day.

Here’s a handy guide to what a nutritious packed lunch should include:

✅ What to Include

🥖 Starchy Base
Wholegrain bread, pitta, crackers, pasta or rice salad

🍎 Fresh Fruit & Veg
Apples, bananas, oranges, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, cucumber, fruit chunks

🧀 Dairy Item
Cheese, plain/fruit yoghurt, milk drink

🍗 Protein Source
Lean meat (e.g. chicken, ham, beef), tuna, egg, Quorn, hummus or cheese

🥤 A Drink
Water (not flavoured), fruit juice (not fizzy), plain milk

❄️ Top Tip: Include an ice pack to keep food fresh. While we provide ambient storage, we cannot take legal responsibility for food brought from home.

🚫 What Not to Include

🚷 Sweets
🥤 Fizzy or sugary drinks
🍫 Sweet nut bars
🥜 Any items containing nuts (due to allergies)
🧂 Salted snacks like nut packets

📄 Download our Healthy Packed Lunch Leaflet

🥛 Cool Milk Scheme

Did you know your child can receive fresh, chilled milk daily in school?
We’re part of the Cool Milk scheme, which helps children stay nourished and focused.

🍼 For Under-Fives

✅ Milk is free until your child turns five.
📅 Register by Tuesday to start the following week.
🧾 You’ll receive a payment request shortly before their fifth birthday.

🔗 Register at www.coolmilk.com

🧒 For Over-Fives

💷 Milk is subsidised (around £15 per term)
💻 Pay online, at PayPoint, or by cheque
📅 Register and pay by Tuesday to start the following week

💡 Why Choose School Milk?

🦴 Packed with calcium and protein
💧 Keeps children hydrated and focused
⚡ Provides a natural energy boost between breakfast and lunch

📞 More info:
🌐 www.coolmilk.com
📱 Call 0844 854 2913