We want every child to enjoy a healthy, nutritious lunch that helps them remain ready to learn throughout the afternoon.

Our school meals are freshly prepared by Dolce, our catering provider. Each day, children can choose from a selection of main meals, including vegetarian options, accompanied by vegetables or salad and a dessert or fruit.

Current and forthcoming menus can be viewed through SchoolGrid.

Choosing and ordering a school meal

Parents and carers use SchoolGrid to:

• view menus and nutritional information;
• choose meals in advance;
• tell the catering team about dietary requirements;
• check meals taken;
• make secure payments; and
• view their account balance.

Parents will receive information about registering for SchoolGrid when their child joins Waterloo. Once registered, meals can be ordered for individual days or several weeks in advance.

Children entitled to free school meals use SchoolGrid to select their meals in exactly the same way, but no payment is required.

Log in to SchoolGrid

If you experience any difficulty accessing your account or ordering a meal, please contact the School Office.

Why we encourage school meals

Children may bring a packed lunch from home. However, wherever possible, we encourage families to choose a school meal.

A school meal provides:

• a freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced lunch;
• a varied menu with different choices;
• appropriate portion sizes;
• vegetables, salad or fruit each day;
• a shared lunchtime experience with friends;
• less preparation for families each morning; and
• good value for money.

Having a school meal can also encourage children to try new foods and helps us ensure that they have eaten a substantial lunch before returning to lessons.

Children do not have to take a school meal every day. Families may choose school meals on some days and packed lunches on others, although all required meals should be ordered through SchoolGrid in advance.

Packed lunches

Children are welcome to bring a healthy packed lunch. We ask families to include a balanced selection of foods, such as:

• a sandwich, wrap, pasta, rice or another suitable main item;
• fruit and/or vegetables;
• yoghurt or another suitable dairy item; and
• water or a sugar-free drink.

Please do not include glass bottles, fizzy drinks or energy drinks.

Because pupils and staff may have serious allergies, certain foods may not be permitted in school. Please follow the school’s current allergy guidance and do not send food containing nuts or peanuts.

We understand that some children, particularly those with sensory or additional needs, may have a limited range of accepted foods. Please speak to us if your child needs an individual approach.

School meal prices

School meals are free for eligible pupils. For other children, the current charge is £2.90 per day.

All pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

Payments for chargeable meals should be made through SchoolGrid. Accounts should normally remain in credit.

Free school meals

From September 2026, free-school-meal eligibility is being extended to children from households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings. Other qualifying benefits and circumstances may also create entitlement.

There are two different categories:

• Targeted free school meals provide a free meal and may also generate additional Pupil Premium funding and access to other support.
• Expanded free school meals provide a free meal for children in households receiving Universal Credit above the targeted income threshold.

Eligibility is checked by Sefton Council.

Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and already receives a Universal Infant Free School Meal, it is important to apply if you receive a qualifying benefit. A successful targeted application may provide additional funding for the school to support your child’s education and may give your family access to other forms of assistance.

Applications are confidential, and children receiving free school meals are not identified to other pupils.

Check eligibility and apply for free school meals

If your child already receives benefits-related free school meals, you do not normally need to reapply for September 2026. However, families should notify Sefton Council if their circumstances, address or child’s school change.

Nursery children

Some children attending Nursery may also qualify for a free school meal. This normally applies where the child is receiving education both before and after lunchtime and their family meets the relevant eligibility criteria.

Please contact the School Office or apply through Sefton Council if you think your child may qualify.

Allergies and special diets

Dolce can accommodate a range of medically required diets and allergies. Parents must provide complete and accurate information about any allergy, intolerance, medical condition or religious dietary requirement.

Please do not rely only on comments made during meal selection. Contact the School Office before your child has a school meal so that the appropriate information and safeguards can be put in place.

Information about ingredients and allergens is available through SchoolGrid. Further information can also be found in our Allergy Policy and Safer Eating and Food and Nutrition Policy on the Policies page.

Need help?

For help with meal eligibility, payments, dietary requirements or SchoolGrid registration, please contact the School Office on 0151 928 4274 or at admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk.

Menus can be displayed immediately below this section as downloadable PDFs, although I would also retain the SchoolGrid link because that will always show each child’s available choices and the most current menu.