The government will provide our school with additional funding if your child is registered as eligible for Free School Meals.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• 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)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Even if you are eligible for free school meals but choose to provide your child with sandwiches, it is important you still apply. 

For every eligible pupil registered with the Free School Meals Service, the school will receive funding called Pupil Premium which is used to help support children in schools. This is used to fund teaching assistants, trips, educational resources, etc. As a school we receive £1,455 per eligible pupil.

The government already provides free school meals for children in:

• Reception
• Year 1
• Year 2

However, you still need to register for Free School Meals if you are in receipt of the benefits above so that the school receives the additional £1,455 to be spent on your child in school.

In order to claim Free School Meals (FSM), please complete the form below and return it to the school office.

For more information about free school meals or if you would like help completing the form, contact the school office on 01782 394890 or email stmatthew@stmatthewsacademyce.org.uk.