School meals information for parents

Holte School catering provider – City Serve

Canteen and food selection

Holte School’s school meals service is provided by the Local Authority’s City Serve catering service. They were last inspected by the Food Standards Agency in February 2020 and awarded the highest food hygiene rating of 5 – Very Good.

Staff and pupils at Holte School are able to select from range of fresh hot and cold food every day during break and lunchtimes. A varied menu of sandwiches, pasta pots, salad items and a choice of hot meals are available along with fresh fruit, juice and bottled water.

We also provide a free breakfast service for all pupils from 8am until 8.45am every morning.

Dietary and Allergy Information

All meat items served are halal. Fish and vegetarian options are also available and pupils may also bring food from home if preferred. The catering team are informed of any specific dietary requirements for pupils with allergies by our SEND department.

Hot food must be eaten in the Dining Hall and all pupils are expected to clear away their own plates, cutlery, trays and litter once they have finished. Pupils can take a sandwich lunch outside or into a cluster in school if they prefer and must put litter in the bins available.

We do not allow sugary, fizzy drinks or energy drinks in school. Studies show they can reduce children’s ability to concentrate, damage their teeth and contribute to childhood obesity and other health problems. Healthy alternatives are available to buy in our canteen. Energy drinks will be confiscated and disposed of. Chewing gum is not allowed in school.

Payment options

The price of a daily school meal is currently £2.55. This price is set by the Local Authority’s catering service and may vary slightly each year.

From September 2021 our school can no longer accept cash payments. Instead we have introduced ParentPay as our only method of payment for school meals, snacks, school trips and uniform purchases for all pupils and staff. You can pay into your ParentPay Account using a debit/credit card online or by using a PayPoint card any at local shop that offers a PayPoint facility.

Please contact our Finance Department for queries on setting up a ParentPay account by phone via the school reception or by email to holteparentpay@holte.bham.sch.uk

Free School Meals

Children whose parents/carers are on certain government benefits may be eligible for Free School Meals. These benefits include Income Support, Income based Jobseekers Allowance, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190), Working Tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualify for Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit.

Free School Meals are worth £2.55. Parent/carers will need to complete a form (available from school) or apply online https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/birmingham

More details are available form www.birmingham.gov.uk or from the school’s main office (call 0121 566 4370/4371).

City Serve Catering Menu

The school meals are served on a 3-week menu cycle providing a wide variety of food and drink items available. Please see the attached menus for more details and prices.

Holte School Food Hygiene Rating

Holte School was last inspected by the Food Standards Agency in 2020 and was awarded the highest rating – 5 Very Good. For further information please follow this link https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/en-GB/598565/Holte-School-Birmingham

Cashless Catering

The school operates a cashless finance system and uses the online ParentPay system for pupils to purchase food and drink from school. Please see the ParentPay section in the Information folder for further details of how to set up an account. Or email holteparentpay@holte.bham.sch.uk with any enquiries.