If your child is eligible for free school meals and you register them for this, we will receive extra funding called pupil premium. We use this additional funding to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.
What is Pupil Premium funding?
Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help students reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It is provided for students who:
· Are registered for free school meals
· Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
· Are, or have been, in care
· Have parents in the armed forces
As a school, we will receive an additional £985 for every eligible student who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.
Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?
Your child might be eligible if you access:
· Income Support
· Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or 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
· Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
Does my child have to eat the free school meals?
No. Students who are registered for free school meals do not have to eat them. If you are eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches, you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.
How do I register?
You only need to register once at the school.
To register, please complete the online application via: http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals#. The process is completely confidential and, for example, our cashless catering system handles payment for school meals without anyone being aware of who is receiving a free meal and who is paying.
https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/