It is well-understood that a healthy diet is essential in supporting children to fulfil their potential. Eating the right food will help children to concentrate in class as well as helping them to feel good mentally and physically. Eating a well-balanced diet supports general health and helps build immunity to regular illnesses. However, in the longer term, a healthy diet along with regular exercise will help prevent life-threatening problems such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
School Meals
At Harlow Green, children can choose to eat school meals provided by Gateshead Catering Service. Meals provided in school meet strict nutritional standards which are regulated nationally. There are a variety of meals set out over a three week cycle. To provide flexibility, parent/carers can choose for their children to have a school meal any day of the week and interchange with a packed lunch option. The latest menu can be downloaded by clicking on the image below.
The following document shows pictures of the meals on offer for the full three-week menu (click on the image).
Packed Lunch
Instead of eating school meals, children can bring packed lunches. Children eating packed lunch will do so with their friends in the lunch hall. We expect that parents/carers will support the school’s drive for healthy eating and will provide a healthy balance of food. We expect that children should have only one ‘treat’ per day (e.g. a biscuit or a packet of crisps).
Nuts
There are a number of children who have severe nut allergies at our school. Consequently, we would request that children do not bring in nuts or nut-based products (e.g. Nutella).
Drinks
In school, children should drink water. We encourage children to bring a bottle of water every day which they can access during lessons; this should not be flavoured water.
Children should drink water at lunchtime also but may have a small juice to have with their meal (school meals and packed lunch).
Under no circumstances should children bring in glass bottles or fizzy drinks.
