Free School Meals
Who is eligible for free school meals?
Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit* and have an annual household income that does not exceed £16,190
- Working Tax Credit 'run on' - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
It is really important that even if your child receives a free hot meal because they are in the Foundation Stage (Reception) or KS1 that we know whether you are eligible for Free School Meals as the school will be given an extra £1,300 to support each eligible child.
How can I apply for Free School Meals?
Lincolnshire County Council have a new process for parents to apply for Free School Meals. Please follow the link https://lcc.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/parentportal
Here you will be able to create an account which will enable you to apply for a school place as well as apply for Free School Meals.
Telephone enquiries - Customer Service Centre Tel: 01522 782030
What if my circumstances change?
You should notify the school and the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782030 of any changes:
- if you start work and come off benefit
- if you change address
- if your child changes school
What is the Pupil Premium?
The school receives a Pupil Premium payment for the year in which families are eligible for free school meals and automatically for the next five years? This year it is £1,300 per free school meal pupil. This additional funding will be invested in your child to help them achieve more at school. Some schools offer free uniform, trips, one to one tuition and additional teaching support, help towards music lessons and after school activities. If eligible for free school meals, you may also be entitled to claim other forms of assistance, for example with home to school transport.
Free School Meals and Healthy Eating
Over the last few years the quality of school food has improved dramatically. Research shows that pupils are more likely to concentrate in lessons if they have eaten a nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtime. By choosing school lunches, not only will you be saving yourself the time of preparing a packed lunch every day, you can also be sure that your child is getting the range and amount of food that will help contribute to their health and well-being. On average parents spend £400 on packed lunches per year for each child, which is money that could be spent on other things.
