Catering

Catering at The Castle Rock School 

At Castle Rock, we are proud to offer high‑quality catering based on a strong healthy‑eating ethos. Our provision is shaped not only by national guidance but also by listening to our students and encouraging them to explore a wide and varied range of food options. 

We are committed to providing nutritious, high‑quality meals that offer excellent value for money. We employ our own dedicated catering staff and design menus in line with government health legislation, ensuring meals are balanced, appealing and responsibly prepared. 

We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, with vegetarian options available every day. Food quality is closely monitored to ensure a good variety and the use of high‑quality ingredients throughout the year. 

We also work closely with students to introduce themed food days, helping to promote cultural awareness and encourage students to broaden their food choices in an enjoyable way. 

Our friendly and knowledgeable catering team are always happy to assist pupils, answer questions, and provide advice on ingredients and menu choices. 

The school believes in promoting a healthy school environment in its widest sense. This includes encouraging healthy eating and physical activity, alongside a strong system of support for students’ emotional health and wellbeing. 

Fresh drinking water is provided by drinking stations throughout the school. 

 

 

Meal Deals 

At lunchtime, pupils can purchase a carefully balanced hot Main Meal for £2.70. This includes a main course served with vegetables or salad, with vegetarian and gluten‑free options available. 

Alternatively, students may choose a hot Meal Deal for £3.20, which includes a Main Meal with a choice of either a bottled drink or from a selection of desserts. 

 

Cashless Catering System 

We operate a cashless catering system across all our catering outlets. Pupils and staff each have their own secure personal catering account, which can be accessed using their smartcards at any till. 

Parents can log in to Beehive at any time to view a full purchase history, allowing them to monitor what their child is buying. Accounts can be topped up easily when needed, helping parents manage spending and ensure their child always has access to healthy meal options during the school day. 

 

 

Allergies & Special Dietary Requirements 

Any food allergies registered with the school are highlighted through the cashless catering system. If a student attempts to purchase an item that they are allergic to, the till operator is automatically alerted and can support the pupil in making a safe alternative meal choice. 

Our kitchen operates as a nut‑free zone; however, on very rare occasions, some pre‑packaged items may contain nuts. These items are clearly labelled. If your child has any food allergies or dietary concerns, please speak to us. We will always work closely with families to safely accommodate individual needs. 

 

 

Food Outlets 

Castle Rock has two separate dining rooms: 

The Bletchley Dining Room 

This area is for Year 7’s and Year 8’s & Sixth Formers 

The Alexandra Dining Room 

This area is for Year 9’s, 10’s, 11’s & Sixth Formers  

The Alexandra Kitchen mostly serves Grab and Go food and so if any students would like a plated meal, we are happy to serve them in the Bletchley dining room.

 

Food Service Times 

BREAKFAST CLUB: 08:15 to 08:45  

BREAK TIME: 10:50 to 11:10  

LUNCH TIME: 12:50 to 13:20 

Sixth Formers can come 10 minutes earlier to both dining rooms at Break time and Lunch time. 

 

 

Sustainability 

We are committed to operating our catering service in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. Wherever possible, we work with local suppliers to reduce food miles and lower CO₂ emissions. Our key suppliers include Crowndale Foodservice (Leicestershire), Great Central Meats (Loughborough), Spectrum Foodservice (Daventry), and All Purpose (Melton Mowbray), helping us support local businesses while ensuring high‑quality ingredients. 

We actively aim to reduce our environmental impact by using biodegradable disposable packaging across our outlets. In addition, food waste is separated and managed responsibly, supporting sustainable disposal practices and helping to minimise waste sent to landfill. 

Through these measures, we strive to provide a catering service that not only delivers high‑quality food for our pupils but also contributes positively to the environment and the wider local community. 

 

 

Menus 

Our menus run on a three-week rotation and are updated regularly to take advantage of seasonal ingredients.  

Menus and Price List coming soon.

 

Free School Meals 

One in five students in England are entitled to a free school meal. On average a family with two children spends over £600 per school year on school meals so it’s well worth checking out your entitlement.  
 
Your child may be able to get 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 - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) 

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals. 

If you think your child may be eligible, please visit the Local Authority Free school meals website to apply online. You will need to have your National Insurance number to hand. 

Even if you don’t want the free school meal, we would still encourage you to apply. The more children in school who are entitled to free school meals, the more funding the school will get, and this will benefit all pupils.