Family Dining

More Than Just a Meal

At The Swan, we believe that lunch is the most important part of the school day. It is not just a break in the schedule; it is a cornerstone of our culture. That's why, for all our students in years 7 to 11, by sitting down together as a community of students and teachers, we foster a sense of belonging, responsibility, and mutual respect. Sixth Form students have their own dining area and can choose from the menu daily or bring a packed lunch.

The "Family" in Family Dining

We recreate a warm, communal atmosphere where every student plays an active role. Rather than a standard cafeteria line, our students take ownership of their dining experience through rotating roles:

Service & Responsibility: Students take turns laying the tables, serving food to their peers, and tidying the space afterward.
Daily Reflection: Each lunch service is led by a senior staff member who guides a daily reflection.
Weekly Gratitudes: Every week, we pause to express thanks, allowing students to publicly recognise and appreciate the kindness of others.

Why We Choose Vegetarian

To ensure every member of our "family" can eat together without barriers, all our lunches are vegetarian. This choice is driven by three core values:

Community: By serving vegetarian meals, we ensure that all students—regardless of religious requirements or dietary preferences—can share the exact same meal at the same table.
Quality: Focusing on plant-based ingredients allows us to invest in higher-quality, fresh produce for the same price.
Sustainability: We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and lowering meat consumption is a powerful way to protect our environment.

Nutrition for Mind and Body

We work closely with our caterer and Raising Nutrition who act as a third party to ensure our menus are thoughtfully designed and meet all national school food standards. Our partnership helps us provide balanced meals that support students through the various demands of their school day.

Fuel for Study: We prioritise wholesome, balanced lunches aimed at providing sustained energy, helping students stay focused and engaged in the classroom all afternoon.
Support for Sport: Our vegetarian options are crafted to be satisfying and inclusive, offering a delicious range of ingredients to help students stay active and energized for PE and after-school clubs.
Healthy Habits: We are committed to fostering a positive relationship with food. This starts with our free porridge Breakfast Club at 8:05 am and continues with our focus on providing nutritious choices during break times.

Practical Information

No Packed Lunches: To maintain our community spirit and nutritional standards, all students participate in Family Dining; external packed lunches are not permitted in Years 7 to 11 but parents/carers are free to send students to school with breaktime snacks.
Menus and choices: We introduce a new menu each term which rotates fortnightly. Students are asked to fill out their choices of an Option 1 or Option 2 menu item for each day of the two week rotating menu. Students can update their choices weekly by Thursday, to begin from the following Monday.
Payment: Mandatory Family Dining Meals are paid for in advance via Direct Debit.
Free School Meals: We are committed to accessibility. If you believe your child is eligible for Free School Meals, you can check eligibility and apply here.
Dietary Queries: Our meals meet the most common guidelines for Halal and Kosher diets. For specific allergen information, we can connect you directly with our expert caterers.