Free School Meals
A commitment to healthy eating provides the basis for the menus in all schools.
A cafeteria system operates in secondary schools with a choice of meals individually priced. A full meal can be obtained by pupils for a cost comparable with the former "traditional school meal".
School meals are provided in primary schools and pupils are expected to pay for their meals in advance. Allowances for unconsumed meals are made in the following week.
Free school meals are currently provided for children where the parent(s) or carer(s) is in receipt of Income Support, the income based Jobseekers Allowance, or child tax credit or where pupils are themselves receiving such benefits. Initial applications can be made at any time during the school year to the Operations Team, Intergrated Childrens Services. It is necessary to renew the application annually. This should be done prior to the commencement of the Autumn term.
Application forms can be dowloaded , obtained from Integrated Childrens Services or the relevant school.
What makes parents / carers eligible for free school meals?
- Free school meals can only be provided to a pupil whose parent(s)/carers(s) are in receipt of one of the following: -
- Child Tax Credit – where total annual income is also less than £15,575
- Income support (with responsibility for children)
- Income based job seekers allowance (with responsibility for children)
- Support under Part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Pupils who receive Income Support or Income Based Job seekers Allowance in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals
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Am I eligible if I’m claiming Working Tax Credit with income less than £15,575?
As it stands at this present time, no, but you can apply if you wish in case anything changes long term. Money received each week through Working Tax Credit includes an amount for free school meals. This means that you do not qualify for a free meal. As soon as you are no longer eligible for Working Tax Credit you must inform the Inland Revenue and free school meals can start depending on individual circumstances.
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How do I apply for Free School Meals?
You can collect a form from your child’s school or by contacting the LEA on 01685 724650. Completed applications forms are then to be returned to the Operations Team.
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Can nursery children receive free school meals?
Pupils who attend Nursery classes on a part time basis are not eligible for free schools meals. Pupils attending Nursery on a full time basis are eligible for free schools meals.
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How long does my eligibility last?
Eligibility usually runs from April to March. However random checks on parents eligibility is carried out throughout the school year and if up to date information is not provided free school meals will be stopped.
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Do I need a separate form for children attending different schools?
No, one form is sufficient for all children attending the same school or different school.
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How long does it take to authorise the form?
If a correctly completed form, with all required evidence, is received by 10am then we will aim to ensure that a free school meal is available at lunchtime that day.
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Are parents/carers notified of eligibility?
Yes, parents/carers will receive a letter of confirmation when their form has been completed.
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Distinct School Clothing
Local Education Authority
Allowances towards the cost of distinctive school clothing are made to pupils attending secondary schools. Allowances are payable at the commencement of each of the child’s first five years in the secondary school. Distinctive School Clothing is currently provided for children where the parent(s) or carer(s) are in receipt of
· Income Support,
· Income based Jobseekers Allowance
· Child tax credit, or
· Assessable net income related to the scale of allowances determined by the local authority.
Each school has its own procedure for assistance in this matter and parents should check with the relevant school for details.
WAG School Uniform Financial Assistance
The Welsh Assembly Government have launched a school uniform grant scheme which is available to pupils entering Year 7 in a secondary school, special school, special needs resource base or pupil referral units in Wales. To qualify for the grant pupils must be eligible for free school meals and be 11 years of age at the start of the academic year.
Application must be made on a "Particular of Family Circumstances" form which can be dowloaded , obtained from Integrated Childrens Services or the relevant school.
For further information contact Integrated Childrens Services on: