School Dinners

Universal Primary Free School Meals

In September 2022, a Co-operation Agreement was forged between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to rollout Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) to all Primary pupils by September 2024. The roll out was completed in Rhondda Cynon Taf in April 2024, ahead of the Welsh Government deadline of September 2024. All pupils, including Nursery pupils in full time education, are now entitled to receive a free nutritious meal every day they attend school. Part-time Nursery pupils are not entitled to a UPFSM. However, some settings may offer a lunch provision, but this meal is payable by the parent/carer via the online payment portal.

Frequently Asked Questions – Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM)

Medically Prescribed Dietary Requirement

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. Register a Medically Prescribed Dietary Requirement- Request a Special Diet Menu

Please note: We procure food that is absent of nuts as a declared ingredient. However, even with proactive cross contamination control measures, multiple handling processes in the supply chain do present the potential for trace ingredients to remain present. We cannot control the food brought into the Dining environment by other customers.

A residual risk remains that food provided by RCT Catering Services ‘may contain traces of nuts and nut derivatives’, and customers who have a nut allergy should consider the risk before purchasing/consuming any food.

Paying for Your School Dinners 

Primary School Meal - £2.95 per meal (Part-time Nursery pupils only)

Secondary School Meals - £3.30 per day

You can now pay online for your child's school meals.

You can pay securely using the Council's website, www.rctcbc.gov.uk/payit  

Paying on-line offers the following benefits:

• The option to register an account where you can store your child’s reference number to save time entering each time you pay
• If you choose to register an account, you also have the option to securely save your debit or credit card details.
• As a registered user, you can view your receipts online using payment history.
• ‘Shopping basket’ functionality allowing the option to add multiple items with one payment at ‘Checkout’.
• Payment pages will be re-sized to display on a mobile phone or tablet
• It’s convenient, no need to look for change to give to your child.
• Reduces the risk associated with carrying cash to school such as loss, theft or bullying

To obtain your childs' dinner money reference number, please contact us on 01443 203471

Please find attached information regarding online payments eg school dinner money