Lunches

We try to encourage children to lead healthy lifestyles and to help them to understand the importance of a balanced diet and sufficient exercise.

School Meals

Parents can decide whether they would like to order a hot school meal for their child, or whether they would prefer to provide them with a lunch box. Hot school meals are served every day and cost £2.50 per day. These are bookable on ParentPay and must be booked by Sunday for the week ahead, or further in advance if you wish.

Acorn Catering provide tasty, healthy meals for our school. Ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible and meals are made freshly each day at the Acorn Catering kitchen at Axminster Primary Academy. These are transported to Loders Academy and served by two members of the catering team.

All meat including sausages, meatballs and burgers are supplied by Complete Meats of Axminster.

All fish products are supplied by Davy's Locker in Bridport.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are supplied by Cain's Farm in Chideock.

Dairy produce including free-range eggs and West Country cheese are supplied by R. T. Parris of Chardstock.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

From September 2014 all children in Reception and KS1 are entitled to a Free School Meal. Lunches will be automatically ordered on ParentPay. Parents can amend the choices, if they wish.

Free School Meals/Pupil Premium

We encourage all parents who are eligible for the following benefits to apply for Free School Meals even if they are in Reception or KS1. This is because the school receives extra income, currently £1480 per year, which we use to provide additional support for your child. Details of how to apply for free school meals in Dorset can be found by clicking here, or by ringing 01305 221000

You can register for Free School Meals if you get any of these benefits:

Income Support
Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual taxable income that does not exceed £16,190
Income-Based Job Seekers’ Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are also entitled to free school meals.

Water

Children are expected to bring a water bottle to use in school and encourage them to drink water regularly. Drinking water is known to promote healthy bodies and alert minds.

Snacks/Fruit

Children in Foundation and Key Stage One are provided with a piece of fruit each day, funded by the National Health Service. Older children are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable (carrot, celery etc) to eat during morning play (NOT biscuits, crisps or chocolate) Please support us in these efforts to develop healthy eating habits.

Packed Lunches

There is a wealth of evidence now about the effect of food on children’s behaviour and concentration. We therefore ask you to please consider carefully what you provide for your child each day if they bring a packed lunch. Sweets are not allowed, but we also discourage chocolate bars and an over-reliance on processed snacks. Sandwiches and fresh fruit are ideal, providing the right kind of energy for your child to make the most of their afternoon in school.

Acorn Catering Lunch Menu - Summer 2025 Allergen Information - Lunch Menu Summer 2025