At St Augustine’s Priory, we believe that food is an important part of school life. Mealtimes provide an opportunity for pupils and staff to enjoy freshly prepared, nutritious food, recharge during the school day and spend time together as a community.

Lunch is served in one main refectory, with pupils also able to access a second dining space during service times. This allows us to provide a smooth and enjoyable dining experience for all year groups. When weather permits, pupils also have the opportunity to eat outside in our beautiful school grounds, making the most of our green spaces and fresh air.

Pupils can choose from a varied selection of freshly prepared hot and cold dishes, including vegetarian options, soups, salads, halal options and seasonal favourites. A hydration station is also available, ensuring pupils can access fresh drinking water throughout the day.

Our menus are designed to provide balanced and nutritious meals that support pupils’ wellbeing, learning and active lifestyles, while also encouraging them to discover new foods and develop healthy eating habits.

Our Catering Partner – Thomas Franks

From September 2026, our catering is provided by Thomas Franks, a family-owned catering company with extensive experience working with independent schools across the UK.

We chose Thomas Franks because we wanted a catering partner who shared our commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our school community. Their approach goes beyond simply providing meals, with a focus on fresh, nutritious food, high-quality ingredients, sustainability and creating a positive dining experience for pupils and staff.

Thomas Franks works with local and independent suppliers wherever possible, using fresh and seasonal ingredients and cooking from scratch. Their education catering approach also places a strong emphasis on pupil voice, nutrition and helping children and young people develop positive lifelong relationships with food.

Their key priorities include:

• Food quality – fresh, seasonal ingredients and food prepared with care by skilled chefs.
• Health and nutrition – balanced menus designed to support physical and mental wellbeing, learning and healthy eating habits.
• Pupil experience – listening to pupils and creating menus and dining experiences that reflect their tastes and interests.
• Sustainability – reducing food waste, supporting responsible sourcing and working towards positive environmental outcomes.
• Local and ethical sourcing – working with independent and family-owned suppliers to support local businesses and reduce food miles.
• Community and wellbeing – recognising that food plays an important role in bringing people together and contributing to a positive school community.

Allergies and Dietary Requirements

St Augustine’s Priory is a nut and sesame seed-free school, and the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is central to our approach to catering.

Thomas Franks’ specialist Nutrition Team supports schools with nutrition and dietary requirements, working alongside catering teams to provide appropriate support for pupils with specific dietary needs.

We work closely with families and the catering team to ensure that dietary requirements are kept up to date and appropriately communicated.

Menus

Our menus are designed to offer variety throughout the school year, with a balance of familiar favourites and opportunities for pupils to try new flavours and dishes.

View our current school menus below.

School Lunches

School lunches are available to pupils who choose our cooked lunch option. Families who prefer their child to bring a packed lunch from home are also able to do so.

For information about school lunch fees, please visit our Fees Information page.

We look forward to developing our catering provision with Thomas Franks and creating a dining experience that is an enjoyable and valued part of life at St Augustine’s Priory.