How we work

Recently we have been working hard in the kitchen in giving the academy menu a complete overhaul. This has included a deliberate decision to use quality local suppliers, brilliant fresh produce, and working to reduce the levels of saturated foods available. As a result, we have improved the range of options available for students, providing very tasty quality meals, and there has been a huge 380% increase in the purchase of hot meals by students and staff at lunchtime.

Using local suppliers is very important to us as we look to reduce our carbon footprint and support local businesses – a much more sustainable way of working. These suppliers include purchasing a variety of meats from throughout Nottinghamshire, free-range eggs from Lincoln, vegetables from Sheffield, milk from Hockerton and even venison from Sherwood Forest! All fish used in our kitchen also must carry the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation, showing that it is sustainably farmed.

We are also extremely proud that we hold a 5 star food hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency.

The academy is committed to providing the best quality food for our students, from a brilliant kitchen with very hard-working staff, and ensuring our environmental impact is minimised by our selection of local suppliers.

Free school meals

We know that having a nutritious meal during the school day is important for children’s health, wellbeing and learning – and we want to ensure that all children who are eligible for free school meals benefit from this scheme.

Your child may be able to receive free school meals if you get any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit – your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If you think that your child(ren) may be entitled to free school meals then you can either apply online or download a form via the Nottinghamshire County Council website here, or phone them on 0300 500 80 80.

Once your application has been approved, the council will inform the academy and we can then start providing free school meals for your child(ren). We treat all recipients with complete discretion.

We are here to help, so contact us if you have any queries or concerns you would like to discuss directly with the academy.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, your local food bank can help. To arrange a food voucher for your family, visit Sherwood Forest Foodbank(opens in new tab), or for further support contact the academy(opens in new tab) to talk to someone in confidence.