At the heart of GORSE Kitchen is a simple ambition: to provide good-quality, nutritious food that pupils enjoy, served by catering teams who are an important part of our academy communities.

We know that good food matters, particularly during the primary years. It supports our pupils through a busy academy day, helping pupils to refuel, develop positive relationships with food and be ready for an afternoon of learning.

Our menus have been developed to offer choice, variety and value, balancing nutritious meals with familiar favourites. We want pupils to enjoy their lunchtime while encouraging them to try different foods and make positive choices. Vegetarian and plant-based choices are also available.

GORSE Kitchen launched in September 2026. Listening to our pupils and using their feedback to help shape future menus and the wider catering offer is a key commitment.

The safety of our pupils is fundamental to GORSE Kitchen. We have clear procedures in place to support the safe management of food allergies and dietary requirements.

An Allergy Aware Menu is available for pupils whose allergies relate to the 14 regulated allergens. Where we have received notification that a pupil has an allergy to one or more of these 14 allergens, they will automatically be provided with the Allergy Aware Menu.

We recognise that some pupils have more complex allergies, intolerances or medical dietary requirements. Where a specialist diet is required, we will work closely with families and academy colleagues to understand the pupil’s individual requirements and determine the appropriate arrangements.

Families have an important role to play and must ensure that the academy holds complete and up-to-date information about their child’s allergies or dietary requirements. Any changes should be shared with the academy promptly.

To tell us about an allergy, intolerance or medical dietary requirement, please contact: [email protected]

Pupils will be supported by academy and catering colleagues at lunchtime. Where there is any uncertainty about whether a particular food is suitable for a pupil with an allergy, it is important that they do not take a risk and that this is checked with the catering team.

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are currently entitled to a free school meal through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

Children in other year groups may also be eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals, depending on their family’s circumstances. We would encourage eligible families to apply, even if their child does not intend to have a school meal every day. Further information about eligibility can be found in the section below.

For pupils who pay for their school meals, the daily cost of a school meal is £2.66.

Payments are to be made via Parentpay.