GORSE Kitchen
At the heart of GORSE Kitchen is a simple ambition: to provide good-quality, nutritious food that students enjoy, served by catering teams who are an important part of our academy communities.
Great Food, Every Day
We know that good food matters. It supports our students through a busy academy day and provides an important opportunity to come together, enjoy a meal and make positive choices.
Our menus have been developed to offer choice, variety and value, balancing nutritious meals with familiar favourites. Students will be able to choose from hot meals, lighter dishes, alongside vegetarian and plant-based choices.
GORSE Kitchen launched in September 2026. Listening to our students and using their feedback to help shape future menus and the wider catering offer is a key commitment.
School Meals and Free School Meals
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 and how to apply can be found here.
School meals costs £2.66 per day, costing £13.33 per week. If possible it is encouraged to pay for the week or longer if this is affordable. School will contact parents around payment if this is needed. Children who attend Nursery for 30 hours, are also entitled to purchase a school meal at a reduced cost. You may also provide a packed lunch too.
School lunches are paid for via parent pay, which is a cashless system. Once enrolled you will be provided with log in details from the school office for you to be able to complete payment for your child’s school meal.
Allergies and Specialist Diets
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] or Mrs Drayson at school 0113 262 4080
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.
