Free School Meals
Do you qualify ?
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Around 1.8 million UK children are entitled to free school meals but more than 330,000 pupils don't get their entitlement. For some children, the social stigma or even teasing attached to 'being on free dinners' puts them off. Often parents don't realise they're entitled or are discouraged by the likely bureaucracy.
Is my child eligible for free school meals?
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Your child might be eligible if you access:
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Income Support
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
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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)
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Working Tax Credit run-on
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Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
Your child might also be eligible if you’re in a household with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to a maximum income threshold. This is for children of:
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Zambrano and Chen carers (non-EEA nationals caring for a British citizen residing in the UK)
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British National (Overseas) passport holders
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Spousal visa, work visa, or student visa holders
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Those with no immigration status
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Families with a right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights
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Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
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Certain failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’.
We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.
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What is pupil premium funding?
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Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:
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Are registered for free school meals
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Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
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Are, or have been, in care
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Have parents in the armed forces
At St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, we get an extra funding for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.
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For example, we’ve previously used pupil premium funding for:
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Educational provision/resources
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Tutoring in English, Reading and Maths
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Wellbeing and self-esteem building interventions
Does my child have to eat the free school meals?
No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re 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?
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You only need to register once. To register, please go to the Salford Council website. Please follow the steps below:
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Click on this link or go to www.salford.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/free-school-meals/
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Scroll down to “Free school meals form for parents/carers”
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Choose from:
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Apply for income related Free School Meals
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Apply for Free School Meals as an Asylum Seeker
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Apply for Free School Meals if you have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
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Complete and submit the application form.
More information
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If you need support applying please contact Mrs O’Leary, Assistant Headteacher.