School Lunches
Sir Thomas Abney is totally committed to ensuring every child receives a healthy and nutricious meal at lunchtime. As a health promoting school, we are committed to encouraging and developing positive attitudes towards food and a healthy diet. As a school we know that food is fundamental to the quality of a child’s life, not just in providing essential nutrition but in communicating and sharing positive values and attitudes.
Our kitchen staff work alongside our consultant chef to prepare each meal from scratch using fresh and seasonally sourced foods.
Universal Free School Meals for all children
From September 2023, all children attending Sir Thomas Abney will be provided with a free school meal, including full-time Nursery children.
Mayor of London Pledge
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is ensuring that every child attending state schools in London from Reception - Year 6 will receive a free school meal for the academic year 2023-24 and 2024-25
Eligibility for Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium Grant
All parents are encouraged to still apply for Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium Grant. It is very important to the school that all parents complete the registration and application for the above by going to Hackney Education Free School Meals page regardless of whether your child is having a school meal or not. The school receives extra funding of up to £1300 (Pupil Premium Grant) for each pupil who is eligible for free school meals based on their family circumstances. This funding is vital to pay for staffing and a range of resources.
Packed Lunches
You are welcome to provide your child with a packed lunch which should contain healthy foods. The school menu comprise of healthy, nutricious meals with lots of fresh produce and high quality fish and meat. We would like to see all the children eating healthily. Therefore, packed lunches must not contain crisps, chocolates and sugary drinks. There are lots of alternatives. A good place for ideas is the NHS Change For Life site:
NHS Change4Life Healthy Lunchboxes
You can also check out the NHS Eat Well Guide NHS Eat Well Guide
IMPORTANT: we are a NUT-FREE school and children must not bring any foods containing nuts. We have children with serious allergies so please help us keep everyone safe.