All pupils in Nursery & Primary 1-5 are automatically entitled to a free school meal as part of a Scottish Government initiative. Some pupils outwith this age group may also be entitled to free school meals depending on their family circumstances.
School meals at North Walls are prepared daily in the school kitchen by our School Cook, and eaten in the dining hall. The current menu can be found here:
A hot 2 course meal costs £3.00 for primary pupils daily and should be paid for weekly in advance. Cheques should be made payable to ‘OIC School Meals’. Online payments can be made at: Make a school meal ticket payment – Payment – MyOrkney (achieveservice.com)
The food is very healthy and wholesome and the children can have a great variety in a week. Each day there is home-made soup and a hot main course or a hot main course and a pudding. Alternatively there is a salad bar or baked potatoes with a choice of fillings, and a choice of fruit or yoghurt instead of the pudding. Salad, water and milk are always available with the meal. Vegetarian options are available every day.
The menu goes home to each family and choices marked on a copy returned to school. Please let the school know of any special dietary requirements your child has.
Pupils who require medically prescribed or modified diets, with parental/guardian assistance, should be identified during the admission process.
Packed Lunch
Where children bring a packed lunch to school, parents are responsible for ensuring that lunch box contents are stored at the correct temperature, by including an ice pack where necessary.
The school aims to encourage young people to enjoy food which is both attractive to them and nutritionally sound whether this is a school meal, a packed lunch or a snack. We would appreciate your support in achieving this aim.
Free School Meals
Applications for Free School Meals and Clothing Allowance are made on one form, and should be submitted to Orkney Islands Council for each school year.
The current clothing allowances are: £120 for primary children & £150 for secondary children.
By applying for free school meals and clothing not only will your child be receiving nutritional benefits, but you will also be supporting their school. For every eligible pupil that is registered for free school meals, their school will receive funding through the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF). This funding can be used to support a wide range of initiatives and can help those who experience barriers to learning. We strongly encourage all parents who may be eligible for free school meals & clothing to apply for them.
The eligibility criteria are outlined on the following webpage, where application forms are also available: www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/School-Meals-and-Clothing-Allowances.htm
Application forms can also be obtained from the school and Orkney Islands Council (OIC) Customer Services. Applications must be submitted along with supporting documentation as detailed on the form. A new application is required for each school year. For help with filling out the form and more information on school meals and clothing grants please telephone Education, Housing and Leisure on (01856) 873535, or email: education.grants@orkney.gov.uk