Dinner Information
RCT Catering Services provides a tasty and nutritious menu to all primary schools within Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Part of our role as School Catering Dietitians is to broaden pupils horizons by introducing new healthier food options alongside their usual favourites. We believe it is vital that pupils are provided with nutritious, hot school lunches that help feed their bodies and minds. New menu details can be found below.
Medically Prescribed Dietary Requirement
Does your primary age child have a food allergy/intolerance or a medical condition, which would require them to need a Medically Prescribed Diet?
If so, Catering Services has an online facility where a medically prescribed diet can be requested.
If you need to register your child as having a medically prescribed dietary requirement, then please complete the Form below. You will need to upload medical evidence, from a registered medical practitioner or dietitian, confirming the child’s dietary requirement(s).
RCT Information Page on Medically Prescribed Diets
Universal Primary Free School Meals
In September 2022, the rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) across Wales began, starting with learners in Reception. The policy is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
Within Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Council has continued to roll out the UPFSM offer:
From September 2024 all Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 and full-time Nursery pupils have been offered a UPFSM.
Free School meals - Apply for free school meals
You must apply for a Free School Meal even if you receive a Universal Free School Meal for your child as this will affect your possible entitlement to a School Essentials Grant.
Please view the eligibility criteria before making your application below:
Free school meals are available to children whose parents or guardians are currently receiving one of the following benefits:
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Child Tax Credit – where total annual income is also less than £16,190
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Income Support (with responsibility for children)
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Income Based Job Seekers' Allowance (with responsibility for children)
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Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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Guarantee element of state Pension Credit
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Pupils who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seekers' Allowance in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals.
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Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA(IR)).
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Universal Credit (if working, annualised net earnings must be £7,400 or lower)
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Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Young people who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seekers' Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.
Am I eligible if I'm claiming Working Tax Credits (with income less than £16,190)?
No, but if your circumstances change andyou are no longer eligible for WTC, you must inform Her Majesties Revenue and Customs and free school meals may start depending on your individual circumstances.
Applying for free school meals
If you think you may be entitled to a free school meal for your child, please complete an online application below. A paper-based version is available, but it is much easier online as you don’t need to provide lots of evidence.
Link to RCT Application form for FSM
Once you are entitled to a free school meal you could automatically qualify for a School Essentials grant and/ or an allowance which is administered by secondary schools.
Click link to view information on Schools Essentials Grant
If eligible families don’t apply for a free school meal through the Council, it will affect the amount of funding that individual schools receive from the Welsh Government, which will mean the school has less money than it is entitled to in order to provide education and to support your children.