Are you missing out?
Is your child eligible for free school meals? Is so, make sure you apply! If you receive benefits, your child could be tucking into a tasty free school meal to the value of £2.20 daily.
We would like to help families whose children may be entitled to get free school meals to apply for them. Also, registering your child for Free School Meals means that the school gets extra money. Register now to make sure no-one misses out!
Why apply?
- School lunches provide a healthy, nutritious and tasty meal of a main course and pudding (drinks extra)
- Research shows that a school lunch can help concentration levels
- Menus are varied and are available from the school
- Schools may be able to receive additional DfE funding
- Financial assistance may be available for trips or activities directly related to the taught curriculum
Applying for free school meals is fast and easy
Please click here to download a printable application form and return it to the main school office with your documentary proof of entitlement. Forms are also available on request from the office, please phone on 01344 624826 x 731.
Can my child get free school meals?
Yes, if you receive one of the following:
-
Income support
- Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance (IBJSA)
-
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
-
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual income (as assessed by the HM Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed the income threshold set by the Treasury, currently £16,190
- The ‘Guaranteed’ element of the State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit 'run on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks AFTER they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Pupils can also register for Free School Meals if they get any of these benefits themselves.
Parents receiving working tax credit are not eligible.
If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that's great - they will get the free meal (to the value of £2.20 - saving you more than £350 a year ) and the school, under Pupil Premium funding, gets £623 extra which helps us to provide extra support like 1-1 tuition and extra curricular activities.
If you qualify and register for free school meals but don't want your child to have the meal they can continue as normal, but the school still qualifies for this additional funding.
How does it work in practice?
Your child's SmartCard is loaded with a daily allowance, currently £2.20, which is the cost of the 'meal deal' but they can spend it how they choose. Every SmartCard looks the same, so students entitled to free school meals are not identifiable in any way to other students. If you wish to add to the daily allowance you can do so by crediting funds using our ParentPay system (please click on the link for details) or by sending in a cheque made payable to 'Caterlink' with your child's name and tutor group written on the back. They then take this with the SmartCard to the Dining Hall between 8.00am - 8.30am to be credited to their card.