School Meals

Education at St Aidan's extends to informing young people about the long-term health benefits of a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet.

Our Catering Team is passionate about the food they serve and strongly believe that healthy eating is linked to success in the learning and development of our pupils.

In providing a school lunch service, in-house every day, we promote healthy choices, offer good value for money and provide a first class service to pupils and staff. Ingredients are sourced from local suppliers. The academy is fully compliant with School Foods Standards, we can cater for special dietary requirements if informed in advance and allergen information is available if required.

Our catering service is led by Catering Manager Alexis Wilson, who is supported by a team of 4 Catering Assistants.

All pupils remain on the academy site at lunchtime. We operate a two-sitting family dining lunch break, from 12.25pm - 13.10pm. Yr7, Yr8 and 9 pupils eat with a member of staff in the first sitting with Yr10 and Yr11 pupils eating with a member of staff in the second sitting. 

We are extremely proud of our unique family dining experience. We are the first secondary school in the North East to offer family dining.

We are proud to say that the majority of our pupils choose the healthy meal provided by the Academy. A small number of pupils opt to bring a packed lunch, still sitting with their year group to enable them to enjoy the family dining experience. 

Payment

We operate a cashless catering system – Arbour Pay – which means pupils do not need to bring money into school to pay for their lunch. 

Each pupils' account can be topped by using the Arbour App or website by debit or credit card. Payments can also be made over the phone or by coming into school and paying via debit or credit card.

Please see our 3 week menu below

Menu Week 1

Menu Week 2

Menu Week 3

Free School Meals

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings. 

Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility: 

• Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium). Other educational entitlements such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM. 
• Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only) 

Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria. 

What you need to do 

If your child currently receives free school meals: 

• Please complete the attached FSM application form and return it to the school office or return via email to sa-enquiries@nllt.co.uk 
• Your child’s school or the local authority will check your eligibility automatically using the details provided and inform you of any changes to your FSM eligibility 
• If you are unsure, please contact your school for advice. 

If your child does not currently receive free school meals 

• You may now be eligible under the expanded criteria 
• You will need to apply through your school 

How to Apply 

• Complete the registration form attached and return to SA-enquiries@nllt.co.uk  

FSM_Application_Form.pdf

Not sure? 

If you are unsure whether you need to apply or if your circumstances have changed, please contact the school.