🌟 Free School Meals & Pupil Premium
Please Check If You Are Eligible
Checking whether your child qualifies for Free School Meals can bring extra funding to our school — even if your child already receives a free meal in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.
Every eligible child helps the school receive £1515 through the government’s Pupil Premium scheme. This funding is used to provide extra support, resources and opportunities for our pupils.
💡 Why it is Important to Check
The government gives schools extra funding for every child who qualifies for Free School Meals.
This money helps us pay for things like:
* Extra teaching support and intervention groups
* Learning resources and educational trips
* Wellbeing and pastoral care
Even if your child prefers to bring a packed lunch, registering means the school still receives the funding enabling us to cover the cost of:
* a full set of school uniform each year
* all school visits (including Laches Wood residential in year 4)
* one after-school club each week
* music lessons
* a carton of fresh milk every day
✅ Who Can Apply?
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following -
Income Support (IS)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual income is below £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Universal Credit – if your household income is less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including benefits)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Children who are in care or have been adopted from care may also attract Pupil Premium funding, please speak confidentially to the school office if this applies to your family.
🖥 How to Check
You can check your eligibility quickly and confidentially using the official online Free School Meals checker. It only takes a few minutes and you will get an instant “yes” or “no” result.
👉 Check your eligibility here
You will need:
Your National Insurance number
Your date of birth
Your child’s name and date of birth
If you qualify, the system automatically notifies the school and you don’t need to provide proof.
🤝 Every Check Helps
Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, please check as it could make a real difference.
Every successful application brings extra resources to support our children’s learning and wellbeing.
If you would like help completing the form or have any questions, please contact our school office in confidence. We are happy to help.