Food

We have a healthy eating policy at Lancing Prep Worthing and seek to educate our children about the importance of good nutrition for their wellbeing. This is taught as part of PSHEE and in the culinary activities pupils undertake in our well-equipped Food Nutrition room. We put this policy into practice in the meals and snacks that we provide for our pupils.

Parents are asked to complete the appropriate section in the Medical Record Form if their child has any allergies or dietary issues. We also expect pupils and parents actively to share information about any food allergies at the point of being offered or sharing food, or of making food choices, for example in the Dining Hall, on school visits, trips or expeditions.

Lunch

Lunch is an important occasion when staff and pupils meet together informally to share a meal in our school hall which offers a cafeteria type service. Lunch is provided for in the school fees. All children are served a cooked lunch which our catering team prepares on site, wherever possible from fresh ingredients that are locally sourced. Parents receive a menu for the week ahead with each news briefing so they can see what their child will be eating each day.

Our catering team makes every effort to avoid using products that contain nuts or nut oils within their ingredients. We are not able to guarantee that all products contain no nut traces. All foods containing allergens are clearly labelled at the point of service. Any pupil or parent concerned about the items being served should speak to the catering team.

To view what is on offer, here is an example of our weekly menu.

Snacks

Children are encouraged to bring in a healthy snack for morning break. We would suggest fresh fruit, raw vegetables, cheese or dried fruit. Please do not allow your child to bring nuts to school under any circumstances.

As part of our healthy eating policy, pupils are not permitted to bring into school unhealthy snacks, such as sweets, chewing gum, chocolate bars or crisps.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have snacks and milk delivered to them by our Chef. 

For those pupils in the Prep School (Years 3 to 8) who are staying after the end of the school day for after school clubs or to complete homework, we offer a light snack from 16.00 to 16.15 served in the dining hall or weather permitting, outside. Fruit is provided during Wraparound care.

Light match teas are served after home school fixtures.

Allergies

We take the safety and wellbeing of pupils with allergies extremely seriously. Many children live with food allergies, and even small amounts of an allergen can cause a significant reaction. Schools have a legal duty to support pupils with medical conditions, including allergies, and to ensure their needs are safely met within the school environment.
This page outlines how we work together with families to maintain a safe, inclusive and allergen-aware school community.

Our Responsibility to Pupils with Allergies

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, schools must support children with medical needs, including food allergies, and ensure they are able to access school meals and activities safely. We follow national allergy guidance for schools, which sets out practical steps to reduce risk and prevent accidental exposure to allergens. This includes clear communication systems, trained staff, and accurate food-allergen information provided by our catering team.
We work closely with parents, carers, healthcare professionals, and our catering partners to make sure all pupils with allergies receive the support they need to take part in school life confidently and safely.

Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs)

Every pupil with a diagnosed allergy will have an Individual Healthcare Plan that outlines:
•their specific allergens
•early signs of a reaction
•emergency actions
•medication required (such as antihistamines or adrenaline auto-injectors)
•whether medication is kept with the child or in a designated location
These plans are developed collaboratively between families, school staff, and relevant health professionals, as recommended in national model allergy policies.
IHPs are reviewed annually or sooner if a child’s needs change.

Food Brought into School

To help keep all pupils safe:
•Foods containing any of the 14 major allergens—especially nuts, sesame, and shellfish—must not be brought into school. These are the allergens most likely to cause severe reactions and require careful control.
•Food sharing is strictly not permitted between pupils.
•Home-baked goods should not be sent into school unless specifically requested by staff and accompanied by full ingredient lists, in line with best practice guidance for schools.
We understand this requires collective effort, and we are grateful for your support in keeping our pupils safe.

Catering and Allergen Management

Our catering team follows the Food Information Regulations, which require clear allergen identification and safe preparation practices in schools. This includes:
•labelled menus and allergen-aware food preparation
•strict cross-contamination controls
•staff training
•separate preparation of allergen-safe meals where needed
We ask parents to keep us updated about any new allergies or changes so we can continue to support your child effectively.

Hygiene and Awareness

To reduce risk further, we:
•teach pupils not to share food or utensils
•reinforce hand-washing before and after eating

•provide staff with up-to-date allergy training and emergency-response procedures
•ensure safe practices in lessons involving food (e.g. cooking or science)
These steps support a whole-school approach that protects pupils and builds awareness.

Emergency Procedures

All staff receive training to recognise the signs of an allergic reaction and follow the appropriate emergency steps. Our procedures are aligned with UKHSA guidance and model school allergy policies.
If a child shows symptoms of an allergic reaction, staff will:
1.administer the appropriate medication immediately
2.call emergency services (999) if symptoms are severe
3.contact parents/carers as soon as possible
We also keep a “spare” school adrenaline auto-injector on site where permitted, following national guidance.

How You Can Help

Parents can support our allergy-safe environment by:
•informing the school immediately of any newly diagnosed allergies
•checking packed-lunch items carefully
•ensuring all medication is in date and supplied to school as required
•reinforcing at home the importance of not sharing food
•attending review meetings for IHPs
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school welcoming, safe, and inclusive for all children.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.