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. 

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)

A current price list and example menu is available at https://www.manchester.coopacademies.co.uk/lunches. 

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

If you have a child who is not currently receiving Free School Meals who you think may be eligible please use the following link to make an online claim: pps.lgfl.org.uk/ 

Your application will be checked by the national Eligibility Checking System (ECS) and you will receive an instant online decision. When completing your application please remember to enter a valid e-mail address and/or telephone number so that any queries can be resolved quickly.

Free School Meals eligibility starts from the date that you are notified by the ECS. Until that time, you will need to provide your child(ren) with a packed lunch or add money to their catering account.

Due to the transitional protection, younger children starting school after 1 April 2018 will not automatically qualify for Free School Meals just because their older siblings are receiving Free School Meals. A new application will need to be made for any children not currently on Free School Meals. More than one child can be included in each application.

Further information regarding Free School Meal eligibility can be found on the Manchester City Council website here: Free school meals | Free School Meals | Manchester City Council

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.

Our catering offer is managed by Taylor Shaw.

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.