School Meals
Healthy, balanced lunches with simple ways to pay — free for eligible families.
Quick start (works on App & Parent Portal)
Log in to Arbor and open Payments → Meals.
Choose Top up account and enter the amount.
Pay by card and approve with your bank if asked. Balance updates immediately.
How to pay with Arbor
Arbor App (phone)
1. Open the Arbor App
Log in and choose your child.
2. Go to Payments → Meals
From the Menu or your child's page, tap Meals to view balance.
3. Tap Top up account
Enter the amount and tap Pay now.
4. Add card + approve
Use Visa/Mastercard and complete any bank authentication (SCA).
5. Done
You'll see confirmation and the balance updates immediately.
Parent Portal (website)
1. Open Parent Portal
Log in on the website and select your child.
2. Payments → Meals
Or use Quick Actions to access the Meals account.
3. Top up account
Choose amount (min may apply) and click Pay.
4. Bank authentication
Approve with your bank if prompted (code or app).
5. Balance updates
Your Meals balance shows the new amount straight away.
Daily Price
£2.70
lunch pricing
Weekly guide (5 days)
£13.50
We do not handle cash in school. Please use Arbor for all payments.
Monthly guide (20 days)
£54.00
Free School Meals (FSM)
If you receive certain benefits, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals. Applying also helps the school access additional funding (Pupil Premium).
We handle FSM information discreetly. No child is singled out.
Check eligibility and apply on GOV.UK.
We’re notified when approved; meals become free.
We review eligibility each year and will contact you if anything changes.
Why register (even if you’re not sure)
Registering helps your child and our school — we may receive additional funding (Pupil Premium).
We use a cashless system; confidentiality is preserved — no one can see who receives a free meal.
Since the introduction of Universal Credit, councils may not automatically notify schools — parents/carers must apply.eed help? admin@changinglivessen.co.uk
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Universal Credit (annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, assessed across up to three recent 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
Guarantee element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (not entitled to Working Tax Credit and annual gross income no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on — paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Allergies, medical diets & menu
Allergies & medical diets
Tell us about allergies/medical needs. We’ll work with you on safe options and an Individual Health Care Plan if needed.
Term Menu
We run a 2–3 week rolling menu with vegetarian options. vegan/gluten‑free on request.
Safety Rating
Our kitchen holds a 5-Star Food Safety Rating, so every meal is prepared to the highest standards.
Refunds, moving funds & receipts
Refunds / transfers
Please contact the school office to request a refund or move money between siblings’ accounts.
Receipts & history
View invoices, top‑ups and credit notes in the Arbor App/Parent Portal.
Multiple children
Switch child from the dashboard (App) or top‑left menu (Portal).
Troubleshooting
Can't see ‘Meals’?
Use Quick Actions → Payments, or open your child's profile and choose Payments.
‘Top up account’ is greyed out
Reload the page/app, check your Basket, then try again.
Payment declined
Complete your bank's SCA step and ensure Visa/Mastercard is used.
No meal choices showing
The window may be closed/not open yet — we'll post dates here.