Specialist Diets

If your child requires a special diet for medical reasons, you should obtain a Medically prescribed diet registration form, from the school office and send with an accompanying letter from a medical practitioner or dietician confirming the specific details of the diagnosis to your school office. Once the form has been received you will be contacted by one of the catering team to discuss your child’s dietary needs and outline the process ensuring a suitable meal is provided.

For pupils wishing to access the School Halal Menu then a Cultural diet request form should be completed and for any pupils wishing to access the Vegan or Vegetarian menu then a Lifestyle request form should be completed, both forms are available from the school office Please note that it’s your responsibility to inform us about changes in your child dietary needs.

(Nicky Joiner, Catering Coordinator, Education Facilities Management)

A new website has been launched:  www.eastrenchampionsboards.co.uk.  Its purpose is to support and improve the experience of care experienced young people in East Renfrewshire.

The website may be of interest to school staff and parents/carers.  Some of the information will be equally relevant to young people who are not care experienced.

More fruit and vegetables, less processed red meat and sugar on the menu.

https://www.gov.scot/news/making-school-food-healthier

The Scottish Government and all local authorities are jointly committed to providing the healthiest food to children and young people. This commitment is underpinned by a duty to provide school meals that meet strict nutritional requirements, including encouraging the use of fresh, local and sustainable produce School food regulations will be amended to ensure:

• a minimum of two full portions of vegetables and a full portion of fruit are offered as part of a school lunch, with full portions of fruit and or vegetables also available in, for example, tuck shops
• a minimum weekly amount in the school menu of red and processed red meat provision –  such as bacon, ham and pepperoni

For Primary schools – Ensure no more than 175g of red and red processed meat can be provided over the course of the school week, of which no more than 100g should be red processed meat. All of the 175g amount can be used for unprocessed freshly prepared red meat.

This is a new standard and is based on the Scottish Dietary Goal for red and processed meat which is supported by scientific evidence based dietary recommendations to limit intakes of these foods to 70g per day with the purpose of protecting the health of children and young people. Therefore if a child is to have processed meat in their diet this can be managed at home by parents/carers.

Dietary advice highlights red meat as a major source of iron and zinc which can contribute to meeting the recommended nutrient intakes for primary school lunches removal of fruit juice and smoothies from primary and secondary schools to help reduce sugar intake.

The measures follow extensive consultation and advice from a working group comprising health, nutrition and education experts.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/report-responses-consultation-nutritional-requirements-food-drink-schools

Currently all East Renfrewshire school meals are nutritionally analysed and comply with the existing regulations laid down by the Scottish Government.

All medically prescribed diets will be accommodated on receipt of an Acute Services Division referral form from a hospital dietician or a Doctor’s letter detailing dietary requirements.

Loraine Lawrie
Quality Manager
Facilities Management (Education)

Please find attached a letter from the Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland regarding the Best Start Grant School Age Payment that is due to open for applications from Monday 3 June 2019. 

Local Delivery Relationship Leads Contact Details

Best Start Grant – School Age Payment – Local Authority Chief Executives