School Meals
Children in Reception and Key Stage 1 are entitled to a free school lunch. This is a fantastic way to ensure all young children have access to a cooked meal during the school day. It has been piloted in other areas with significant impact on children’s social skills during lunchtime, concentration during afternoon lessons and, in some studies, their academic achievements.
From the start of Year 3 (Key Stage 2) you must pay for a school lunches at the cost of £2.85 for each meal. This should be paid in advance via the School Gateway app or by debit/credit card at the School Office. Please note, that the School Office no longer accepts cash or cheques.
School lunches can be ordered by the child on a daily basis, during registration.
If your child has any allergies and intolerances, please inform school by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]. This will ensure that correct information is provided and passed on to our Catering Team.
Free School Meal Entitlement and Pupil Premium
Families who are receiving any of the following benefits may be entitled to Free School Meals:
-
Income Support
-
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
-
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
-
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
-
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
-
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
-
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
-
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Schools receive additional funding based on the number of pupils who have applied and been approved for Free School Meals. Schools can support your child immensely with the additional funding and are accountable for using any money wisely to ensure you child makes good progress alongside their peers.
Once your child has been entitled to Free School Meals, additional funding, known as Pupil Premium is also generated and will continue for up to the next six years of their education regardless of any change in family finances.
It is vital that parents apply for each individual child, as funding is not automatically given, even to members of the same family.
You should apply from the time your child starts school at the age of 4 and at any point in their school life should your financial circumstances change.
