School meals
At Low Fell, meals are cooked on site by our own kitchen team. At High Heworth, meals are provided by Gateshead Council’s school catering service.
Pupils can have a school meal or bring a packed lunch from home.
Prices and payment
A school meal costs £3.10 per day, unless your child is entitled to free school meals.
Please pay in advance through Arbor. If you need help setting up your account or making a payment, contact the school office.
If you are having difficulty paying, please speak to the school office or our family liaison team as soon as possible. We will treat your enquiry confidentially and work with you to agree a way forward.
If your account falls into arrears, please contact us to discuss repayment and your child’s meal arrangements. You may be asked to provide a packed lunch while the outstanding balance is cleared.
Free school meals
All pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 can have a free school meal, regardless of family income.
From September 2026, pupils from households receiving Universal Credit are also eligible for free school meals, regardless of household earnings. Families receiving certain other benefits may also qualify.
Please register if your child is eligible, even if they bring a packed lunch or already receive a free infant meal. Depending on your circumstances, registering may also help the academy receive additional funding to support pupils.
Check eligibility and apply for free school meals through Gateshead Council.
Our family liaison team can help you complete the application. You can also contact Gateshead Council at benefitsfsm@gateshead.gov.uk.
Holiday activities and support
Some pupils eligible for free school meals can also access funded holiday activities and meals through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, delivered in Gateshead as Brighten the Day.
Eligibility for this support is more limited than the expanded free school meals entitlement. Receiving Universal Credit does not automatically qualify a child for a funded HAF place.
Please speak to our family liaison team for help checking eligibility and finding suitable activities, including information about Cedars’ own holiday provision.
Allergies and special diets
Please tell us about any food allergy, intolerance or dietary requirement before your child starts school, and let us know whenever their needs change.
If your child needs support with eating or drinking, please discuss this with us so we can agree the arrangements with you and any professionals involved in their care.