Hot meals and Homework Launch at Cedars Manor School

                                                                                                                             Monday 10th February 2025
                                       Free Hot Meals and Homework Launch at Cedars Manor School
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to inform you of an exciting new initiative that we are launching at Cedars Manor School - the "Hot Meals and Homework" programme, in partnership with the award-winning charity Akshaya Patra UK. 

We will be running Hot Meals and Homework on Mondays (starting after the half term) for 30 pupils across Year 4, 5 and 6 and on Thursdays (starting Thursday 13th February) across Year 1, 2 and 3 until 16:30.

Who are Akshaya Patra?

Akshaya Patra UK is committed to nourishing and educating children, and their "Hot Meals and Homework" programme promises to make a significant difference in the lives of children across the UK. This initiative consists of two essential components:

1. Children will enjoy an additional, free hot and healthy meal on school premises after regular school hours
2. Children will receive additional teaching support to help them complete home learning tasks and engage in fun, stimulating educational activities.

We are well aware that barriers to children doing well with their homework can include living in noisy or cramped environments, not having a suitable surface on which to write, having parents or carers who lack the time or confidence to assist and encourage them, and being unable to afford stationery, textbooks, electronic devices, access to the internet, or even the support of a tutor. The outcome of this is that poorer children experience reduced educational opportunity and achieve lower levels of attainment. The "Hot Meals and Homework" programme aims to address these challenges and provide a supportive environment for all our pupils. The meals are all freshly prepared from Akshaya Patra's kitchen in Watford, which is founded on the same principles and learnings of their 'mega-kitchen' facilities in India and operates to the highest standards of food quality and safety – as evidenced by their five-star Food Standards Agency hygiene rating.

Cedars Manor School will be offering 30 places on Monday and 30 places on Thursday. School staff will lead the sessions. Please use this link https://forms.gle/qwPN2CjhDKzraJxs9 to complete the registration form. We will inform you if you have been successful in securing a place or if you are on a waiting list.

For further information follow the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwIvj7x7-as

https://akshayapatra.org.uk/hotmeals-and-homework/

Yours Sincerely,
K McClean