Catering and Allergy Management

We aim to offer all home-made dishes, from main courses to desserts, with extra portions of healthy salad and a slice of bread. The children can choose from a wide selection of meals each day and then help themselves to fruit for afters. If any child has a specific dietary need, we will cater for their needs.

Each day we offer : 'The main event' (a meat-based option), 'Meatless magic' (Vegetarian option), jacket potatoes or pasta

At morning break,  we offer the option of toast for each child in years 1 - 6. We provide the Reception class with a selection of fruit & vegetables and a cup of milk each day, free of charge. On Fridays we have a ‘Special’ day when children who normally bring their own snacks can have an 'unhealthy' snack. Aspens provide special menus for key school events. 

https://www.gov.uk/school-meals-food-standards

We are an Allergy Aware School. 

Detailed allergen information for all menu items is maintained in the kitchen through a daily allergen matrix. This approach ensures that the information provided to customers is accurate and reflects any last-minute changes to ingredients or menus. Due to the potential for supplier ingredient variations and unforeseen delivery substitutions, allergen information is not published on school websites, as this could lead to outdated or inaccurate guidance. The daily matrix allows the kitchen team to provide reliable, up-to-date allergen information at the point of service.

A copy of Aspen’s Allergy Policy is available from the school office and can also be viewed below.

Parents or guardians of children with a dietary requirement must complete a Medical Diet Form (see below), which is available from the school office. Once submitted, the form is reviewed and shared with the kitchen team. The outcome will fall into one of the following categories:

• Intolerance or non-allergy:
  Parents will be consulted, and wherever possible, the child’s needs will be managed within the standard menu by selecting suitable options. If necessary, the child may be placed on the Top 14 allergen-free menu.
• Top 14 allergen with supporting medical evidence:
  Following consultation with parents, the child will be restricted to ordering from the Top 14 allergen-free menu.
• Allergy outside the Top 14 with supporting medical evidence:
  Parents will be consulted, and a bespoke menu will be developed by Aspen’s nutritionist to meet the child’s specific needs.

To ensure that catering staff can identify children with an allergy, they are always asked to stand at the front of the line, their photographs are displayed in the kitchen, there is a list of children and their allergies in the kitchen and in the staff room and PPA room and office.

 The school adheres to the following Department of Health guidance recommendations:

• Bottles, other drinks and lunch boxes provided by parents for pupils with food allergies should be clearly labelled with the name of the child for whom they are intended
• If school meals are taken up, parents must check the appropriateness of foods by completing the form below
• The pupil should be taught to also check with catering staff, before purchasing food or selecting their lunch choice.
• Where food is provided by the school, staff should be educated about how to read labels for food allergens and instructed about measures to prevent cross contamination during the handling, preparation and serving of food. Examples include: preparing food for children with food allergies first; careful cleaning (using warm soapy water) of food preparation areas and For further information, parents/carers are encouraged to liaise with the Catering Manager.
• Food should not be given to primary school age food-allergic children without parental engagement and permission (e.g. birthday parties, food treats).
• Use of food in crafts, cooking classes, science experiments and special events (e.g. fetes, assemblies, cultural events) needs to be considered and may need to be restricted/risk assessed depending on the allergies of particular children and their

Parents should not send food into school for other children – this includes birthday cake/ sweet treats. Children are allowed to wear own clothes on their birthday.

Please do not send nut products or products containing nuts into school.

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