Lunches
We pride ourselves in serving the best meals possible to our students, offering them the best value for money around.
Our catering offer is managed by Caterlink.
The menu operates on a 3 weekly cycle
Every day we offer:
- a selection of hot meals. The menu changes each day
- a selection of fresh sandwiches and salads
- marinated halal chicken wraps
- pizza slices
- pasta with a selection of hot sauces
- fresh fruit
- a range of healthy drinks
All our meals are nutritionally analysed to help our students make informed choices about healthy eating.
All meat products are certified HALAL.
Allergen Management
Please ask your child to speak with a member of staff if they have an allergy and need to know what's inside our food dishes. They will advise you of your available choices.
Eating a School Lunch is Better for Your Child
Did you know only 2% of packed lunches meet the nutritional standards that currently apply to school food? Five reasons school lunches are better;
1. They save time and money
2. They’re nutritionally better than a packed lunch
3. They promote a varied diet and encourages new tastes
4. They support inclusivity, dining with friends
5. They help academic attainment by being linked to improved concentration
Meal times
Breakfast is available to students before the start of their school day, for any students who wish to join us.
Students will then have a 20 minute break time (where they can purchase drinks and snacks) and a 40 minute lunch time.
How to pay
Lunch transactions are recorded electronically. Parents and carers are able to see their child’s balance and transactions using Arbor. Arbor also allows parents and carers to top up their child’s account using online payments.
Please note: Co-op Academy Manchester became a cashless site from Easter 2025. All lunch payments need to be made via Arbor.
Web portal ➡️ coopmanchester.uk.arbor.sc or
Download the app for iOS (Apple/iPhone) | download the app for Android (Google Play Store)
Where a child is entitled to Free School Meals, their allowance is added each day and must be used that day. The allowance is sufficient for a meal deal at lunchtime and a snack or a small drink at break time.
Please note that it is possible for children on Free School Meals to exceed their allowance and purchase additional items. Parents and carers are welcome to add additional funds to their child’s account to supplement the Free School Meals allowance.
Parents & carers are responsible for any debts incurred for break / lunch food items purchased. They are expected to ensure that student accounts have adequate funds to purchase food on a daily basis. If you do not want us to give food items to your child if they have insufficient funds, please contact us on manc-lunches@coopmanchester.co.uk .
It parents & carers' responsibility to teach financial responsibility to their child. We advise that parents and carers set clear expectations on how their child should buy items in the diner.
The academy maintains the right to implement a zero debt policy at a later date.
If you have any queries about the charges on your Arbor pay account regarding student meals please contact manc-lunches@coopmanchester.co.uk
Free school meals
From 1st September 2026, all children attending school from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal.
All parents who have an existing FSM account will have to re-apply before 31st July 2026. It is important to re-apply to avoid any disruption to receiving Free School Meals from September.
You must apply on this site only: https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/ Please do not apply to any other site as proof will not be accepted. PLEASE NOTE: You will be asked to re-apply yearly to keep your child on FSM.
Alternatively, if you would like us to apply annually on your behalf, please complete the form below. Please ensure that you enter the details of the same person who has claimed Universal Credit.
What are the benefits of claiming free school meals?
School meals are a good way to ensure that your child eats well at lunchtime, and they can also save you time and money.
Claiming free school meals also helps the school. We get extra funding, known as the ‘pupil premium’, for every eligible pupil who is registered.
Providing feedback on our catering service
Our catering offer is managed by Caterlink.
If you have any feedback on our catering service, we would really like to hear from you. If you would like a response to your feedback, don't forget to include your email address.