Free School Meals
All children in Reception, Year One and Year Two are entitled to a free school meal every day.
For the past few years all schools have received additional funding based on the number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals.
This funding is used to enhance the education for all the children and has been used to pay for:
- Additional Teachers in all year groups.
- Additional Learning Support Assistants in all year groups.
- Subsidising all school trips.
- New play equipment
- School Counsellor (Bonnie)
- After School Clubs
- English and Maths Resources.
- Payment to visitors to enhance the curriculum, e.g. Theatre Groups.
To enable this additional funding to continue it is very important that we know of any children who would be eligible to receive free school meals. We are therefore asking you to continue to register through the office.
Should I apply?
You should only apply for Free School Meals if you receive one of these benefits:
- 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 - Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022.
Only if you receive one of the above benefits, should you follow this link and complete the online application form.
Please note that if you are not in receipt of one of the listed benefits and wish to apply your application will be refused.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who are eligible and registered to receive free school meals are also entitled to free attendance at Breakfast Club, vouchers to attend Busy Bears holiday club at Northwick Park and participation in school trips free of charge.
Please be aware that this does not entitle your child to attend Little Bears after school club free of charge.