School Meals | Dundee City Council

Pupils in primary schools are offered two-course meals. Secondary schools operate self-service cafeterias. There is a fixed charge for a meal in a primary school. The current cost of a primary school meal is £2.15 per day. In secondary schools, the cost varies according to what the individual pupil chooses from the menu.

Special dietary requirements can be catered for, on the production of medical advice. Arrangements can be made for pupils who require special diets by contacting the Head Teacher.

Menus for Primary School Meals

The Nursery and Primary Menu provide a variety of dishes where the children are encouraged to eat their lunch along side their friends in a calm and inviting atmosphere. The children are encouraged by school staff to taste and try dishes that they may not be familiar with and are encouraged to eat a healthy, well balanced meal.

By visiting the interactive site you can get more details on the recipes and nutritional information on the current menu used within the schools.

Visit Tayside Contracts School Catering website

The pictures relate to the current menu cycle and are there to help children recognise the meal they will be ordering for their lunch.

Some special diet requests can be catered for and must be requested through the school the pupil attends and medical letters must be provided in regards to allergies. For details on a special diet request please contact your nursery or primary school.

Apply for Free School Meals

All Primary 1 to 5 children and pupils attending special schools have the option of a free healthy school meal. If you wish your child to have a lunch then there is no requirement to complete the free school meal application form, but they will need to follow school procedure for ordering the meal.

From Primary 6 onwards parents will need to apply for free school meals. Free school meals are available to all pupils whose parents receive Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance - Income Based, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit where take home pay is not more than £796 per month, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, Child Tax Credit ONLY with an income of less than £19,995, or BOTH Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income less than £9,552 (as assessed by HMRC).

From 03 March 2025 families who are not currently eligible for free school meals but are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment will be able to access free school meals for P6 and P7 pupils. Proof of Scottish Child Payment will need to be supplied.

Application forms can be submitted online:

School Meal Application Form

If you are not already in receipt of Council Tax Reduction and think you may qualify please submit a CTR application form instead. This form also covers free school meals and Clothing Grants.

Council Tax Reduction Application Form

If we've asked you to provide documents and/or information to support a claim you can supply this information using our online evidence upload form.

If you require any further information or assistance please contact:

Customer Contact Centre
Email: customerservices@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel: 01382 433458

Other available grants

Social Security Scotland have introduced a Best Start Grant which is made up of three payments.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment was launched successfully on 10 December 2018, the Early Learning Payment launched on 29 April 2019 and the School Age Payment opened for applications on 3 June 2019. As part of a programme of measures, including the Baby Box, targeted at children's early years, the aim of the payments is to support parents and tackle inequality, improving health outcomes and raising attainment.

A Pregnancy and Baby Payment of £754.65 for a first child and £377.35 for any subsequent child. This will help with expenses in pregnancy or of having a new child. There will be an extra £377.35 if you have a multiple birth;
An Early Learning Payment of £314.45. This will help with costs with early learning at around the time a child may take up a nursery place, to support child development; and
A School Age Payment of £314.45. This will help with the costs of preparing for primary school.

For further information about Best Start Grants can be found on the Scottish Government website.