Promoting healthy lifestyles is an important part of life at St Mary's. Through our curriculum, themed awareness days and wider school experiences, we encourage children to make positive choices that support their physical and mental wellbeing.

Across a range of subjects, including Science and PSHE, children learn about the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise and healthy lifestyle habits. We are committed to helping children develop the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices, while working in partnership with families to encourage healthy eating, including enjoying plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

To help keep all members of our school community safe, we operate a nut-free school and ask that no nut products are brought into school.

All children at Thorncombe St Mary’s can benefit from school lunches freshly prepared at Axminster Primary Academy. Our Acorn MAT kitchen is committed to providing a balanced menu following the ‘Fresh Start’ scheme, a national initiative that guarantees a good quality balanced meal using freshly prepared ingredients sourced locally wherever possible.

• At least 75% of dishes are freshly prepared
• Meat is farm assured and eggs are from cage free hens
• Menus are seasonal and in-season food is highlighted
• All dietary needs are catered for
• No undesirable additives and hydrogenated fats are used

School meals cost £2.70 per day and should be paid for in advance via Parent Pay, Menus are sent home at the start of each term. Children can bring their own packed lunches if they are not choosing a school meal on a particular day.

We encourage children to try a wide variety of foods and support them to taste new foods if they wish, helping them to develop confidence and healthy eating habits in a positive and relaxed environment.

Although all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive a free school meal through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme, we strongly encourage parents and carers who receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits to apply for benefit-related Free School Meals.

If your application is approved under the Targeted Free School Meals criteria, the school receives additional government funding through the Pupil Premium (currently £1,345 per eligible primary pupil each year). This funding helps us provide additional support, resources and opportunities for children.

To check your eligibility and apply, please visit the Dorset Council Free School Meals page or contact the Free School Meals Team on 01305 221090.

For further information about how this funding benefits our pupils, please visit our Pupil Premium page.

Children are encouraged to bring a named water bottle to school each day. Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day, and we encourage children to drink regularly to stay hydrated, supporting both their health and their ability to learn.

Children in Reception and Key Stage 1 are provided with a free piece of fruit or vegetable each day through the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.

Children in Key Stage 2 are encouraged to bring a healthy snack, such as fruit or vegetables (for example, carrot or cucumber sticks), to enjoy during morning break. We ask that snacks do not include crisps, biscuits, chocolate or sweets.

We appreciate your support in helping us to promote healthy eating habits and encourage positive choices for all of our children.

We recognise the important role that a healthy, balanced lunch plays in supporting children's wellbeing, behaviour and ability to learn. If your child brings a packed lunch to school, we encourage you to include a nutritious selection of foods, such as sandwiches, fresh fruit, vegetables, yoghurt or other healthy options.

To support healthy eating habits, we ask that packed lunches do not contain sweets. We also discourage chocolate bars and an over-reliance on highly processed snack foods. By working together, we can help children develop positive eating habits and ensure they have the energy they need to enjoy a successful afternoon of learning.