(Scroll down if you have a child in primary school.)
If your child is in secondary school (with the exception of The Maelor School, Penley*), please be aware that the cost of a school meal will increase from £2.45 to £2.65.The price of other menu items will be subject to equivalent increases.
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “Secondary school meal prices have remained unchanged since September 2019 when they increased from £2.40 to £2.45. In contrast, food prices in the UK are up 26% compared with their pre-Covid levels, while prices of everyday items such as potatoes, eggs, milk, bread and cheese have increased by up to 39% in the last 12 months.
“Unfortunately we can no longer afford to fully absorb these massive cost increases. By keeping this price increase below inflation we have tried to protect pupils and parents against the full impact of rising food costs. The “meal of the day” option still offers good value for money and even after this increase, the price of a secondary school meal in Wrexham remains in line with those of other local authorities in north Wales. However, if you are struggling to meet your household costs, please visit Wrexham Council’s ‘help with the cost of living’ pages for advice on any other help you may be able to access.”
*The Maelor School, Penley manage their catering services in-house. If your child attends this school, please contact them directly to find out more about their school meal prices.
Changes to charge for morning play session in primary schools
Many primary schools in Wrexham offer a free breakfast at a session in the 30 minutes before the start of school. Please be reassured that there will continue to be no charge for this meal.
However, to supplement the free breakfast session, many schools offer an additional 30 minute play session and charge parents £1 per child (free to children who are eligible for free school meals).
While this rate has remained unchanged since the provision was introduced in 2018, due to increased staffing and administrative costs, and the fact that the council receives no external funding, this is no longer sustainable.
To make sure that schools are able to continue to provide these sessions, the fee per child for the 30 minute play session will increase to £2 per child (50p for children who are eligible for free school meals) from September 1, 2023.
This increase does not affect the 30 minute breakfast session immediately prior to the start of the school day, which remains free for all children.
We know this comes at a time when many residents are finding household costs a challenge. If you are struggling to meet your household costs, please visit Wrexham Council’s ‘help with the cost of living’ pages for advice on any other help you may be able to access.
Welsh Government also have a cost of living help web page, which provides information of sources of possible financial support.
If you would like your child to attend a breakfast session, please contact their school for the details.
Are you eligible for free school meals?
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to free school meals as well as the School Essentials grant to help with buying school uniform and equipment. Please visit the story below to find out more:
Universal Primary Free School Meals scheme rolls out to Years 3 to 6 – Wrexham Council News
Active Travel Scheme – Read about the proposals and have your say via our online survey.
