Free School Meals and Pupil Premium Funding
The ‘Pupil Premium’ is additional funding received by schools based on the number of pupils who currently qualify for Free School Meals or who have been registered for Free School Meals at any point over the preceding six years.
It is a really valuable source of income for the school as it is used to provide additional support in a wide variety of way for those children who need it most.
We encourage all of our parents to apply for Free School Meals as it will not only be of financial benefit to you but also be advantageous for your child’s education.
When your child joins the school in Reception, all parents who complete a simple Free School Meal eligibility form in their pack are provided with a free book bag for their child.
However, a family’s financial circumstances may change at any point during your child’s time with us and families can apply for Free School Meals if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers 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 (as long as you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don't get more than £16,190 a year)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax and not including anything benefits you get)
Please note that:
- All pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 receive a free meal through the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) Scheme but school really would like any families who are in receipt of the relevant benefits to also register their child for Free School Meals.
- Pupils in Year 3 or above are also offered Free Music Lessons
- If your child prefers to have their own packed lunch, we would still urge you to apply for Free School Meals as the Pupil Premium funding generated will be advantageous to your child’s education
Applying for Free School Meals
If If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals the easiest way to apply is by following this link to the relevant Hertfordshire County Council website page:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/at-school/free-school-meals/free-school-meals.aspx
Please note that you will need your National Insurance number or Home Office number to hand when you apply.
It takes 5 minutes, and, in most cases, you will be told straightaway if your child can get free meals at school.
If you would like any help with the application process, please contact us for further advice.
Mrs Sherry, Pupil Premium lead / Deputy Headteacher, or Mrs Lorimer, School Business Manager are only too happy to assist you if necessary.
Please note that the school will also receive Pupil Premium Funding for any:·
- Looked-after children (LAC) (defined in the Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority
- Children who have ceased to be looked after by a local authority in England and Wales because of adoption, a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or a residence order
The Service Premium is extra funding for schools to support children and young people with parents in the armed forces. Pupils attract the premium if they meet the following criteria:
- One of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces
- One of their parents served in the regular armed forces in the last 3 years
