School Meals

Healthy, balanced lunches with simple ways to pay — free for eligible families.

Top Up in Arbor Apply for Free School Meals
Quick Start

Works on App & Parent Portal

1 Log in to Arbor
2 Open Payments → Meals
3 Top up & pay by card

How to Pay with Arbor

Choose your preferred method — both work the same way and update your balance instantly.

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.

Visa/Mastercard Balance updates instantly SCA Protected

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.

Visa/Mastercard Balance updates instantly SCA Protected

Lunch Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing for healthy school meals.

Daily Price
£2.70
per day
Weekly Guide
£13.50
5 days
Monthly Guide
£54.00
20 days

We do not handle cash in school. Please use Arbor for all payments.

Free School Meals (FSM)

If you receive certain benefits, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals.

Apply for Free School Meals

Applying also helps the school access additional funding (Pupil Premium) to support all students.

How It Works

1

Check eligibility and apply on GOV.UK

2

We're notified when approved; meals become free

3

We review eligibility each year and contact you if anything changes

Apply on GOV.UK
We handle FSM information discreetly. No child is singled out.

Why Register (Even If Unsure)?

  • Helps your child and our school — we may receive additional funding (Pupil Premium)
  • Cashless system preserves confidentiality — no one can see who receives a free meal
  • Councils may not notify schools — parents/carers must apply directly

Qualifying Criteria

  • Universal Credit (net earned income ≤ £7,400/year)
  • 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 (no Working Tax Credit, income ≤ £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (4 weeks after stopping WTC)

Allergies, Medical Diets & Menu

We cater for all dietary needs and maintain the highest food safety standards.

Allergies & Medical Diets

Tell us about allergies or medical needs. We'll work with you on safe options and an Individual Health Care Plan if needed.

Contact Us

Term Menu

We run a 2–3 week rolling menu with vegetarian options. Vegan and gluten-free meals available on request.

Request Menu

Food Safety Rating

Our kitchen holds a 5-Star Food Safety Rating, so every meal is prepared to the highest standards.

5-Star Rating

Refunds, Transfers & Receipts

Refunds / Transfers

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 or 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 on our website.

Need Help with School Meals?

If you have any questions about payments, dietary requirements, or free school meals, please contact us.

Email Us