Visit the CYC website to find out more
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to Free School Meals or other assistance. If awarded, the school will also benefit from additional funding known as the pupil premium to support your child’s learning within school. All claims are treated in confidence, with the same meals provided to all children whether they are paid for or provided free and your child does not have to take up a meal every day, or even at all.
- Educational Benefit Information – letter to parents and carers from Mr Rourke
- Information about free school meals on the City of York Council website
- You can can apply for free school meals and the Pupil Premium online or complete an Educational Benefits Form.
School Dinners
From April 2026 the charge for paid school dinners is increasing to £2.80 per meal. The last price change prior to this was in 2024, and we have tried to keep the increase to a minimum amount. Thank you for your understanding.
Our fabulous kitchen team often create special menus for special events – click the image to see the options for World Cultural Diversity Day 2026!
Following our trial of a new pre-booking meal system through ParentPay, and after careful consideration, we have decided to return to our previous school meal system where children choose their meals on the day. From the start of the summer term, you will no longer need to – or be able to – pre-book meals on ParentPay. We are very grateful to parents for the thoughtful feedback many of you have provided, and for your flexibility and willingness to use the pre-booking system during the trial.
Click here to read Mr Rourke’s letter to families explaining these changes.
Please may we ask you to pay for school dinners promptly. School dinners can also be paid for at the start of every half term. The exact price for this can be obtained from the school office.
New Menu, starting April 2026
Our exciting new menu will be starting on Week 1 for the week commencing 13th April.
Click for a larger .pdf version
- New School Dinner Menu from April 2026 as a .pdf
- You can also download the Mellors Allergens Parent Pack.
Packed Lunches
Children may bring a packed lunch if they wish. A named packed lunch box is recommended. Children with a packed lunch requiring a drink must provide their own. Please note that sweets, chocolate bars and fizzy drinks are not allowed. Please do not send cans or bottles into school. We have children in school with severe food allergies. To reduce the risk of an attack to these children we ask parents not to send nuts into school and children are not allowed to share food.
Breaktime Snacks
As part of our promotion for healthy eating, Lord Deramore’s School is part of a National Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. A free piece of fruit or vegetable is provided for Early Years and Key Stage 1 children each day. Key Stage 2 children may bring a fruit or vegetable snack for morning break.
Children are encouraged to drink water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated. We ask you to send a named water bottle, filled with plain water, with your child each day.
Cool Milk
Our school has registered with a milk scheme (a company called Cool Milk) which is available to all our pupils. For more information and to register your child please visit the Cool Milk website. School milk is free for all under-fives as of 1 January 2015 and is subsidised for pupils aged five or older.