Catering Information & Useful Links

Our catering service is provided by Innovate IFG, part of the Impact Food Group. Innovate is a well-established and experienced school caterer. The service is provided under contract with Harris Federation.

Download the current lunch time menu (updated September 2023). The menu runs on a three-weekly cycle and includes halal and non-halal options.

Catering 1 The current price lists (updated September 2023) are:

The academy uses a cashless catering system for food and drink purchases. Our menu has been created after extensive research into student preferences; it is also nutritious and compliant with all government guidelines. The menu aims to offer more of what students want, including good food that can be eaten on the go.

Download the Eatwell Guide from Public Health England, which provides a useful overview of what food groups make up a balanced and healthy diet.

Catering 2

Cashless payments

The academy uses the ParentPay system which is a cashless system for canteen purchases. We use a Biometric system. Parent Pay is in operation for accounts to be topped up online. Students can also top up their accounts on site with cash if required.

Free school meals

If you are receiving any of the following benefits your child could be eligible for Free School Meals, worth £2.60 per day:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of 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 qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Free School Meal applications should be made online, using this link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/harrisfederation.

If you are unable to use the online system, please complete the form below and email it to info@harrisbeckenham.org.uk along with any supporting documents.

Click HERE to download the Free School Meals application form.

The Academy will also receive an extra Pupil Premium funding, which can be used for resources such as extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after-school activities.

What happens next?

Once we have received your application your details will be checked via the Eligibility Checking Service and you will be advised by letter whether or not your claim is successful. Confirmation of eligibility will also be sent to your child(ren)'s school.

From April 2018 the criteria used to determine eligibility has been updated to reflect the roll out of Universal Credit payments. To ensure families are not disadvantaged during the roll out period the following arrangements have been put in place.

Any child eligible for free school meals on 1 April 2018 will retain their eligibility until the end of the roll out in March 2023 regardless of family circumstance change. Once the roll out of Universal Credit is complete no child will lose their entitlement and it will continue until the end of their current phase of education.

Allergies

If a student has any food allergies or intolerances, students must inform the academy Medical Lead and the Catering Manager, who can provide further information. Food allergen information is labelled in BOLD on all pre-packaged food. Allergen information on all other food products is available from the catering team on request.

Catering 3