School Meals- The Pantry
In order to and pay for your child's school lunches you will need to set up an account with The Pantry.
Please see attachments below providing all of the information on how the processes will work.
You would have also received information regarding The Pantry in your welcome pack when your child started school.
The Pantry menu - Autumn/ Winter
Free school meals
If you receive benefits or have a low income, your child may be eligible for free school meals.
Children in reception, school year 1 and 2
Your child will get free school meals if they’re in a government-funded school and in:
- reception
- year 1
- year 2
You do not need to make an application, but you should still apply if you would qualify under the year 3 and above criteria.
Children in school year 3 and above
The transitional protection of all free school meals claims, which has been in place since 2018, ended in August 2026.
From September 2026, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit are eligible for expanded free school meals, regardless of household earnings.
Further information about expanded free school meals.
Your child may be able to get targeted free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7,400
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Targeted free school meals include extra help for your child’s school and for your family:
- pupil premium funding for your child’s school
- access to support such as the Fit and Fed scheme
You need to apply again for the next school year. We will check eligibility each year in the summer term.
Children in nursery
Children aged 2 ,3 or 4 may be eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive any qualifying benefits. The qualifying benefits are the same as for children in school year 3 and above. The child will need to attend a school based nursery in both the morning and afternoon.
Private nurseries are not eligible for free school meals.
How to apply
Packed Lunches
Pomphlett Primary School aims to be a Nut-Free school. The school aims to protect children who have allergies to nuts while also helping them as they grow to take responsibility for what foods they can safely eat and to be aware of what foods may put them at risk. We do not allow nuts or nut products in school lunch boxes or for after school club snacks.
Many children bring packed lunches from home. Experience has taught us that fizzy drinks in cans and drinks in glass containers should not be given to the children for health and safety reasons.