School Catering

Education Catering Service is one of a number of school meals providers for Barnsley's primary, secondary, and special schools, and its behavioural centres. It also manages the milk in schools scheme for primary and special schools.

In some schools, we also provide additional services, such as breakfast clubs and healthy option tuckshops, as well as accommodating requests for function catering for school social events, parents evenings, governing body and staff meetings.

All pupils and school employees have the option to purchase meals in school should they choose to (£1.50 for two courses), but some pupils, whose parents or guardians receive, for example, income support or income based job seekers allowance, are entitled to school meals free of charge.

Children under five and those entitled to free meals are eligible to receive a carton of milk each day. For all other pupils wanting milk, we ask for a small contribution (£6.40) at the start of each term in September, January and April. The scheme is subsidised by the European Union (EU).

What's on offer

With the emphasis on healthy eating, we offer our primary school pupils a variety of good quality, value for money lunch options. Pupils can choose between a hot traditional meal, a sandwich based meal, which offers a selection of chilled, deli style sandwiches, wraps, salads or pasta pots, or a tasty filled jacket potato, each of which can be modified to suit the requirements of individual schools.

In the summer months, we supply picnic bags for school trips, or as a main meal alternative. On schools' request, we will supply a number of morning break options, for example juice fruit or biscuits, or a combination package.

Again with the emphasis on healthy eating, we offer secondary school pupils a varied menu of high quality, cost effective options to suit any pocket. The range includes traditional fayre, grab and go deli style sandwiches, wraps, salad shakers, hot pasta and sauce, filled jacket potatoes, paninis, milk bars, salad bars, smoothies and a variety of drinks. Secondary schools are cash cafeterias where all items have an individual tariff, as well as meal deals and meal of the day options.

All our meals cater for the range of diet preferences and all menus meet the government's new food based standards 2006.

Useful contacts

 For more information, you can contact any of the following numbers:

or call in at the Education Catering Service, Directorate for Children, Young People and Families at Berneslai Close,
Barnsley S70 2HS.

Opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday during school sessions - 8.30am - 4.30 pm
• Friday during school sessions - 8.00am - 4.00pm
• during periods of school closure - Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4pm