Resources and support from the Trust to help schools increase the take up of free school meals.
Free school meals really do matter, yet too many children from low income families in the UK are not registered for them or choose not to eat them. Many parents do not even realise that their child is entitled to a free school meal. Schools play a vital role in encouraging registration for, and take up of, free school meals and we are here to support you to do this.
Who is entitled to a free school meal?
Parents do not have to pay for school meals for their child if they receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- An 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 income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
Parents receiving Working Tax Credit for four weeks after their employment finishes are entitled to free school meals during that period. This also applies to parents who start working less than 16 hours per week.
Children who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance in their own right qualify as well.
How do I apply for free school meals?
Schools are well placed to advise parents about how they can apply for free school meals. There are a variety of ways that parents can apply, some schools provide application forms there and then, others direct parents to the local council or provide details about how they can apply on-line or on the phone. It is vital that whichever of these options schools use, that parents are encouraged to apply and that it is done sensitively and confidentially.
Alternatively the Directgov website helps parents to find out more information on the application process in their area. they simply enter their post code and follow the link to their local authority:
http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=4&LGIL=0
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Free School Meals Matter Toolkit Our Free School Meals Matter Toolkit contains everything schools need to know about the Pupil Premium, tackling stigma, eligibility criteria, and a host of practical tips and resources including posters, parent letters and leaflets to help schools to do everything they can to ensure that all children that qualify for free school meals are registered to claim one and all registered children go on to actually claim their free meal. Click here to order your toolkit. www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/resources/fsmtoolkit |
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Free School Meals Translated Resources All parents should know about free school meals, especially if their children qualify. However, many parents in the UK can’t speak or read English. We have therefore translated some of our existing resources and created brand new resources in a number of other different languages commonly used throughout the UK. Download our new translated resources here: www.schoolfoodtrust/resources/fsmtranslated |
| How To…Increase Free School Meals |
| For many children, a free school lunch can be the only full meal they eat in a day. Yet too many pupils who would qualify are either not registered to receive their free meal, or choose not to eat it. This course, one of our ‘How to… series, explores the issues behind those choices. Visit our How to page for courses happening near you: www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/howto |
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A Quick Guide to Free School Meals Our Quick Guide to Free School Meals outlines why free school meals are so vitally important and who qualifies for a free school meal. There is information about the Pupil Premium, the risks of stigma and advice and tips on how schools can support pupils and parents over the whole application journey. Download our quick guide below. www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/resources/fsmquickguide |
Case studies
Universal Free School Meal Pilot
Between September 2009 to July 2011, Newham Council, Durham County Council and Wolverhampton City Council took part in the National Universal Free School Meal Pilots. Newham and Durham offered every primary school child a free school meal every day, for the duration of the scheme. Wolverhampton piloted an extension to the free school meal eligibility criteria, to include low income families receiving working tax credit at both primary and secondary school.
Both Newham and Wolverhampton have taken local decisions to continue their free school meal schemes.
Through case studies we share the experiences of some of the schools that took part, what they learnt along the way, how they encouraged more families to switch from packed lunches to school meals and the changes they saw in pupils’ health and behaviour.
- St Luke’s Primary School, Newham
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/stlukes - Deaf Hill Primary School, County Durham
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/deafhill - Wolverhampton City Council
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/wolverhamptonfsm
Free School Meals Support Project
The case studies below are examples of the great work carried out by schools that took part in the Free School Meals Support Project. The project was developed to help support schools to increase the number of children registering for, and eating, a free school meal.
Each school is linked to one of our Children’s Food Advisors who provide expert advice and support through calls and emails that focus on ways to increase free school meal numbers. At the outset, each school’s current situation is explored and existing processes and issues are discussed. Our experts then share their knowledge and experience of working with schools right across the country and beyond to suggest solutions and improvements which have worked elsewhere and which schools can then try in their own settings. To support them to make these changes, they also receive a copy of our Free School Meals Matter Toolkit (see above) which is full of practical hints, tips and resources.
- Oldfleet Primary School, Hull
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/oldfleet - Griffin Primary School, Hull
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/griffin - Lammas School and Sports College, Waltham Forest
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/lammas - Newport Primary School, Waltham Forest
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/newport
Making it easier to apply for a free school meal
Streamlining the free school meal application process can help families to access free meals. It can also save local authorities time and money.
- Hertfordshire County Council
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudies/hertfordshirefsm
For more information about how we can help you to improve your school’s free school meal numbers, contact us for an informal chat.
