Aspens
Great tasting food that your children will love
Aspens is the company chosen by Montgomery to provide the meal service for its pupils. Meals cost £2.60 a day. Aspens specialise in providing catering to schools and colleges across the country.
They have the traditional menu offering the main event meat option and a meat free magic vegetarian option each day.
They also have the allergy menu offering the main event meat option and a meat free vegan option each day.
The food children eat at school plays an important role in their wellbeing and eating a well-balanced diet will not only maintain and improve their health but will also set them on the right track for later life. Aspens understand this and they are passionate about serving fresh, high quality and locally sourced food that is cooked in our kitchen.
Responsible catering
At Aspens - They take responsibility of catering for today’s children and young adults seriously. All of there dishes are prepared everyday using quality, fresh and seasonal ingredients that are responsibly sourced.
As well as ensuring the food on the plate is healthy, they want their customers to understand the importance of eating the right foods and help them with their food and nutrition journey.
Special diets and food allergens
Don’t think that your child can’t enjoy Aspens great food if they have a special diet - they are an important part of their catering service. They can provide food to meet everyone's needs.
Legislation requires caterers to provide allergen information on food sold that is served ‘unpackaged’. Aspens already cater for lots of children with allergies and we regularly check the information from suppliers to see if there have been any ingredient changes.
Introduction to the new Allergen Menu
Introducing the New Allergy-Friendly School Menu As a school, we are committed to providing safe, nutritious and inclusive school meals for all children. As part of this commitment, our catering provider is introducing a new Top 14 Allergy Free Menu, designed to significantly reduce the risk of allergen incidents while still offering variety and choice.
With food allergies on the rise, this new approach ensures that children with allergies can enjoy meals that are safer, simpler, and more inclusive. Unlike previous allergen menus, which often provided limited choice, this menu allows all children with dietary needs to eat the same meals as their peers, creating a shared and supportive dining experience.
Our catering provider also remains committed to medical diet provision, ensuring that children with allergies beyond the 14 key allergens continue to receive meals that meet their specific needs.
Why the Change?
● Enhanced safety – Up to 8% of children have food allergies, with 18% of allergic reactions happening in schools. Simplifying the menu reduces the risk of cross-contamination and human error.
● Better nutrition – The new menu focuses on whole ingredients, with a higher proportion of plant-based foods and a reduction in processed alternatives.
● Continued choice – Children will still have meat and vegetarian options, though selections may differ slightly from the current menu.
● Greater inclusivity – All children with allergies will have access to the same menu, ensuring they are not singled out. Our catering provider supports the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, an organisation dedicated to improving food safety and understanding the causes of allergies. They actively contribute to this important work through funding, education and best practice in school meal provision.
Thank you for your support in making our school meals safer and more inclusive for all children
How do I pay for School Meals?
On My Child at School
Free School Meals
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
- Income Support (IS).
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBSJA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
How to apply
Please complete a Free School Meals Application Form and return it to the school office or
All children in Foundation, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get Universal School Meals. However, parents and guardians should still apply for free school meals when they enroll their child in school, as this can help their child’s school to attract additional ‘ pupil premium ’ funding to support learning.
