Academy Lunches

All of our meals are freshly prepared each day and cooked on site; these are healthy and nutritionally balanced and include vegetables or salad followed by a dessert or fresh fruit. Children are offered a choice including meat (Halal pre-stunned) or vegetarian - sample menus are available upon request from the Academy Reception.

We know that children do not always prefer to eat vegetables or healthy food but we believe that having a healthy meal helps children to learn. We feel that the meal we provide ensures that children receive a balanced meal in the middle of the day, which supports them with their concentration levels in the afternoon and therefore, supports them in making progress.

Here at Oasis Academy Don Valley, we reinforce this message and would encourage parents and carers to do the same at home.

We firmly believe that all of our children to embrace our Academy value of respect, gives children responsibility and helps them to socialise with others, more importantly it ensures everyone has access to a healthy meal. 

Parents are reminded that children are not allowed to bring in sweets, crisps or fizzy drinks or energy drinks. If a child brings in any of these items in to the Academy then these will be confiscated and children will receive a sanction.

Click here to check if your child is eligible for free school meals 

Click here to apply for free school meals 

Click here to view our Primary Lunch Menu 

Packed Lunches 

 

All Children and Students from Year 3 and above can now have Packed Lunches. 

Packed lunches should be based on the Eat Well plate model and should include the following every day:   

• Fruit and Vegetables - at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables or salad. 
• Non-dairy source of protein - meat, fish, egg, beans or pulses such as lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus and falafel.  
• A starchy food like bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals.
• Dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais  
• Drinks - the Academy provides water however children, if they want can bring their own water bottle to fill throughout the day.  
• Oily fish, such as salmon, should be included at least once every three weeks.  

To keep packed lunches in line with the food based standards for school meals, packed lunches should not include:  

• High fat, high salt, high sugar snacks such as crisps, sweet popcorn, and other high fat / salt packet savoury snacks such as crisps.  
• Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits, sweets and chewing gum. 
• Chocolate spread, honey, jam or marmalade as a sandwich filling.
• Cereal bars and fruit bars.
• Fizzy / sugary drinks or fruit flavoured squash. This includes diet drinks and energy drinks, which can contain high levels of caffeine and other additives and are not suitable for children.  

Occasionally, the following may be included: 

• Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages / chipolatas should be included only occasionally due to their high fat and salt content.   
• Cakes and plain biscuits are allowed but children should be encouraged to eat these only as part of a balanced meal.  

 

• Information regarding packed lunch for school visits is now available please click here for allergen information.