DID YOU KNOW … JUST REGISTERING YOUR CHILD FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS COULD MEAN THE SCHOOL RECEIVES EXTRA MONEY?

The Government gives schools money to help children from lower income families do their best. This funding is called “Pupil Premium”. For every child registered, our school receives £1,320. With this money we are able to support identified groups of pupils to boost their attainment and close the gap between them and their peers.

This funding was introduced in September 2011 and is now allocated to schools based on the number of pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the previous six years. Schools also receive funding based on the number of pupils they have who have been in the care of the Local Authority continuously for more than six months, and also for any service personnel children who attend the school (with a parent in the armed forces) at any point in the last 3 years.

In order for the school to receive this additional funding on the basis of free school meals, parents must register their child for a Free School Meal if they are eligible. This includes any parents of pupils in Reception, Year 1 and 2 who now automatically receive a free school meal.

Are you eligible? 

Your child, or children, may qualify for free school meals if you or your partner are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Child Benefit
• Universal Credit (net earnings of less than £7,400)
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA – IB)
• Guarantee Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA Income Related)
• Child Tax Credit – income less than £16,190.00 (details are shown on your Tax Credit award notice)
• Working Tax Credit Run-On
• Support from NASS under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

How to apply

If this applies to you, please complete a free school meals application form and return it to the address shown.

If you satisfy the requirements for your child / children to receive free school meals, and submit the information required over the page, school will be informed of this and free meals will be available immediately.

Parents can be sure that pupils who receive a free school meal are not singled out in any way.

If you stop receiving one of the qualifying benefits; or you stop being responsible for the child/children concerned, or your Tax Credit entitlement changes, you MUST inform the Council’s Benefit Section immediately.

Tel: 0191 433 3729 / Email: benefitenquiries@gateshead.gov.uk

You can view or download our Pupil Premium allocation and find out how this has been used at our school.