Please find below information on applying for Free School Meals
Free school meals are different to Universal Free School Meals which are provided to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Free School Meals are allocated according to family income and therefore are available to any child that qualifies, regardless of their age.
You can apply for Free School Meals if you receive one of these benefits:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Child Tax Credit (not Working Tax Credit), with an annual income of below £16,190
Pension Guarantee Credit
Employment and Support Allowance, income related support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act, 1999
Please note that if you are not in receipt of one of the listed benefits, any application will be refused by Essex County Council.
The school receives funding called Pupil Premium, for any child that is or has been entitled to Free School Meals. The school uses this funding to support and enhance the learning of those pupils. It is important to register for entitlement to free school meals, regardless of the year group that your child is in, in order for the school to receive Pupil Premium funding.
Universal Infant Free School Meal
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to receive a free school meal, regardless of income, in line with the Government's Universal Infant Free School Meals initiative. There is no need to make an application to the Local Authority for parents of these children.
Automatic entitlement to a Universal Infant Free School Meal finishes at the end of Year 2 and only children from low income families are eligible from Year 3. Parents should apply for free school meals in the August of the year that their child is entering Year 3, or if your child is Year 4 or older if you believe you meet the low income eligibility criteria.
Making an Application
Please contact the school office for further details.