School Dining
Dining at St Mary’s: Seriously Good Food
At St Mary’s Catholic Academy, we partner with Innovate to provide our students and staff with an exceptional catering experience. Our goal is to serve exciting, nutritious menus packed with fresh ingredients and a huge variety of choices to suit every taste.
Our Food Philosophy
All dishes are prepared fresh on-site every day by expert chefs using seasonal and responsibly sourced ingredients. With over 35 different choices available daily, students can always find a meal that is balanced for energy and focus.

What's on the Menu?
- Main Meals: A daily rotation of hot classics, including traditional roasts, fragrant curries, and comforting favourites like Lasagne or Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
- StreetVibes: Global street food inspired by flavours from around the world—look out for Korean Crispy Fried Chicken, Greek Souvlaki, and Mexican Burritos.
- The Deli: A wide selection of ‘grab and go’ items for those on the move, including fresh baguettes, wraps, paninis, and sushi pots.
- Natur-ally: A dedicated range of delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes approved by the Vegetarian Society.
- Trattoria: Freshly baked pizzas and pasta pots with a variety of daily sauces.


Beyond Lunch: Fuel for the day
The canteen is open at various times throughout the day to ensure students stay fuelled:
- Breakfast: Toast, cereal, yoghurt, or hot breakfast rolls to start the day right.
- Breaktime: Quick hot snacks like “PowerBites” (pots of noodles, rice, or pasta) and fresh home bakes.
Great Value Meal Deals
We are committed to providing high-quality food at an affordable price. Our Daily Meal Deals are priced at £2.58 and offer a complete, balanced lunch.
1. Main Meal & A Piece of Fruit, or Dessert, or 250ml Gen Juice
2. Sub Roll & A Free Piece of Fruit, Flapjack or Shortbread
3. 12oz Hot Pasta Pot & A Free Piece of Fruit or Dessert
4. Jacket Potato with 2 toppings & Free Dessert or Piece of Fruit
5. Chill Deal: Choose Four Items from the Fridge. Filled Roll + 40oz Snack Pot + Small Home Bake + Drink
subject to availability
Free School Meals (FSM)
Students entitled to Free School Meals can use their daily allowance to purchase any of our Great Meal Deals.
- Discreet & Simple: The allowance is automatically and confidentially loaded onto the student’s account daily.
- Total Access: Students use the same biometric or card system as their peers, ensuring total privacy.
- Top-ups: Parents can add extra funds to the account if desired, which does not impact the FSM funding.
Dietary Requirements & Safety
We take student safety and dietary needs seriously:
- Allergen Buddy: We use a clear labelling system and provide “Allergen Buddy” support to help students navigate the menu safely.
- Diverse Options: Our menus are designed to cater to a wide range of cultural, religious, and dietary preferences.