Free school meals

Free School Meals

From September 2014 all children in Reception classes Y1 and Y2 are entitled to a free school lunch. Let the school know if your child will be having a school lunch.

This is a government initiative, launched as a result of the School Food Plan which could save you up to £360 a year per child.

Eligibility

Your child is eligible for Free School Meals if you get one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit, provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual gross income, of no more than £16,190 (as of 2014 financial year) as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

It is important that you continue to apply for Free School Meals even if your child is in Key Stage 1 as this enables your child’s school to access Pupil Premium which is an important payment for schools which enables them to get even more support for the children in school.

If your child is in Key Stage 1 and you do not apply, your child's school will not be able to claim the appropriate child premium and will have less money to spend on supporting children in school.

Please do not give up claiming if you think you qualify or if your child already has a free school meals. Simply apply on line.