School Dinners

At Brampton, the school dinner catering team is employed by the school so that they are part of the staff team and follow the policies and procedures of the school rather than those of an outside company. The number of staff members that opt for a school dinner is testimony to the quality and value of the school dinners!  

School dinners served at Brampton meet school food standards. Food and drink provided to pupils is nutritious and of high quality; promotes good nutritional health; protects those who are nutritionally vulnerable; and promotes good eating behaviour.

Read more about standards for school food in England here: Standards for School Food in England. 

Brampton's two-week rolling seasonal menu, which changes three times a year to make use of good quality seasonal produce, is available to download below. Produce is sourced locally where possible. The Pupil School Council meets with the catering team to design the menu. 

Each day, the menu includes:

• Main meal
• Vegetarian option 
• Lighter bite
• Dessert
• Fruit
• Salad cart
• Water or milk

The cost of a Brampton school dinner is £2.40 per day and is payable via our online payment platform - Parent Pay. 

Pupils are not required to have school dinners every day - they may choose to alternate between school dinners and packed lunch. Pupils order their school dinner each morning when their class teacher takes the lunch register, and they should inform their class teacher as to whether they would like the main, vegetarian, or lighter bite option at the time of ordering. 

Packed Lunches

As an alternative to a school dinner, pupils may bring a packed lunch to school. It is important that packed lunches also meet school food standards and provide pupils with a nutritiously-balanced meal at lunchtime. 

Parents are asked to provide packed lunches that support children’s wellbeing throughout the school day. Lunches should be balanced, not high in sugar, and ideally should aim to limit additives and preservatives.

To ensure the safety of all pupils, no nuts or nut‑containing products are permitted.

A balanced lunch typically includes a combination of whole grains, fruit or vegetables, and a suitable source of protein. Fresh, minimally processed foods are encouraged wherever possible. Home‑prepared hot dishes such as pasta or rice are acceptable when sent in an appropriate insulated container.

Example packed lunches:

These mixed examples illustrate the type of meals that meet the school’s expectations:

• Wholemeal sandwich or wrap with protein (e.g., chicken, tuna, egg, or cheese), a portion of fruit, vegetable sticks, and a yoghurt low in added sugar.

• Pasta or rice dish prepared at home (such as tomato‑based pasta, vegetable rice, or a simple stir‑fry) kept warm in a thermos, accompanied by fresh fruit and a small portion of cheese or crackers.

• Salad‑based lunch such as couscous with vegetables and beans, paired with wholegrain bread, a piece of fruit, and a low‑sugar yoghurt or similar dairy alternative.

Other healthy packed lunch additions:

• Whole‑grain crackers + cheese — a balanced mix of carbs and protein.

• Yogurt (plain or Greek) — add fruit or a sprinkle of granola for texture.

• Roasted chickpeas — crunchy, high‑protein, and easy to portion.

• Nut‑free energy bites — oats, seeds, and dried fruit for a filling option.

• Mini whole‑grain muffins — choose low‑sugar recipes for a steadier energy release.

• Boiled eggs / egg based muffins

• Plain rice cakes

These examples are not exhaustive but reflect the balance and freshness we encourage.

Snacks

At Brampton, KS2 pupils have a snack during the morning break time (10:30-10:45am). The government provides free fruit and vegetables to pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 as part of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. The fruit and vegetables provided vary according to seasonal availability but often includes one or two of the following options per week:

• Apples 
• Pears
• Bananas
• Satsumas or tangerines 
• Tomatoes
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Small cucumbers
• Raisins

In KS2, pupils may bring a snack to school to enjoy at break time. Snacks must be fruit or vegetables, and can include the following:

• Fresh fruit — apples, berries, grapes, melon, or fruit kabobs for variety and vitamins.

• Vegetable sticks — carrots, cucumbers, peppers with hummus or yogurt dip.

• Dried fruit - such as raisins or sultanas

Snacks must not be fruit-based products, such as Fruit Winders, as these products are often high in sugar. Nor should they be chocolate covered or contain nuts.

Water:

All children must bring a bottle of water to school. This water must be plain water, without any juice or squash added.