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. This new 2 week menu starts on Monday !2th May 2024

Special Diets -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 

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:

• Child Tax Credit – where total annual income is also less than £16,190

• Income Support (with responsibility for children)

• Income Based Job Seekers' Allowance (with responsibility for children)

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Guarantee element of state Pension Credit

• Pupils who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seekers' Allowance in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals

• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA(IR)). 

• Universal Credit (if working, annualised net earnings must be £7,400 or lower)

• 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 and you 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.

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.

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 Welsh Government, which will mean the school has less money than it is entitled to in order to provide education and support to your children.

You can make your application for a online