Catering
Our food provision at Little Heath School is operated by Culinera.
We use a cashless, biometric system in the school restaurant. Once you have registered, a biometric image of your finger is recorded and translated into a unique reference number. You are identified by this number when you place your finger on the reader in the restaurant.
We have three areas on the school site where students can purchase a wide variety of food. As well as the main school restaurant, students can purchase a selection of snacks from the outside eating area at both break and lunchtime.
Sixth Form students also have their own catering facility, serving a variety of hot and cold snacks throughout the day.
Lunchtimes in the restaurant are staggered, therefore Year 7 and Year 8 students can visit the restaurant between 1.20pm - 1.40pm, and Years 9 upwards can visit the restaurant between 1.40pm - 2.05pm.
The current menus and price tariff can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. You can also find more information on the Culinera x Little Heath website: Food at Little Heath School by Culinera
Pupil Premium Breakfast Club
Students in receipt of Pupil Premium funding and/or Free School Meals (under the targeted or expanded schemes) can join us in the restaurant every day from 8am until 8.45am for a FREE breakfast. They can choose one of the food options and one of the drink options from the breakfast menu and the cost will be covered by their funding.
If you have any questions, please email Miss Glasgow, eglasgow@littleheath.org.uk.
Free School Meals
There have been some changes to the Free School Meals (FSM) programme, which came into effect on 1 September 2026.
The government has broadened the eligibility criteria, meaning that a greater number of families will now qualify for free school meals. In particular, from September, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of overall household income.
What is changing?
From September 2026, the Free School Meals programme will be structured slightly differently. For secondary-aged pupils, it will be divided into two categories:
- Expanded Free School Meals (New): All children whose families receive Universal Credit will now be eligible.
- Targeted Free School Meals: This applies to families with an earned household income below £7,400. Eligibility for this group also enables the school to receive additional funding, known as the Pupil Premium, which directly supports your child’s education.
Why is this important now?
- As the previous “transitional protections” ended in August, all families — including those who previously received free school meals — must be reassessed under the updated criteria.
- Once confirmed, your child’s eligibility will be secured for the entirety of the 2026/27 academic year.
What do families need to do?
Have a look at the information on the West Berkshire Council website: Free school meals and pupil premium – West Berkshire Council
If you have not already applied, please do so by contacting West Berkshire Free School Meals in one of the following ways:
- Apply online here: Apply Online | West Berkshire Council FSM
It's quick and easy and you can do this at a time that is convenient for you - we'll contact you by email to confirm if you qualify.
- Apply over the phone here: Contact Us | West Berkshire Council FSM
The team will take you through the form right there and then, just have your National Insurance number ready.
The current allowance for FSM is £2.80 per child, per day. Any additional items purchased over this amount or during break time will need to be paid for via the ‘cashless’ system.
