ELIGIBLE families across Warwickshire are being urged to sign up for free school meals.
Children of parents who receive financial support such as jobseeker’s allowance, income support, child tax credit, or universal credit may be eligible for the scheme, which not only provides free schools meals but additional funding for educational resources and opportunities.
Those eligible families could save around £400 a year.
Parents of children aged four to seven-years-old and at school in reception, year 1, or year 2 currently get universal free school meals but parents and carers are still encouraged to apply for benefits-related free school meals if they are eligible.
By doing so, the school will benefit immediately, and their entitlement will continue beyond year 2, providing ongoing support for both the child and the school.
And the benefits of free school meals extend beyond the school day. By claiming free school meals, a child gains access to the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides free activities, along with nutritious meals, during school holidays at Easter, Christmas and over the summer.
There is an added benefit for schools too. By increasing the number of eligible students accessing free school meals, schools can access the Pupil Premium funding they require to provide more teaching and learning support.
To learn more about free school meals visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fsm
