It is our belief that many families qualify for free school meals and do not claim them. We are told by parents that the reasons for this tend to be one, some or all of the following:

• Uncertainty as to whether or not they qualify
• Uncertainty about how to apply
• Difficulty with dealing with the red tape involved in applying
• Children’s discomfort with what they see as the stigma attached to collecting a dinner ticket

To help with the first 3 points you will find attached a document issued by RCT which tells you whether or not you qualify and contains the relevant application form. If you have difficulty downloading or printing this please contact the school and we will send you a paper copy.

To help with the 4th point, we will, from September 2010, be moving to a cashless canteen system which will mean that no pupil will need to collect dinner tickets. There would be no way of any other pupils identifying who does or does not receive free school meals. More information about this will be in the post in the next few weeks.

Hopefully this will help. Free School meals are worth nearly £400 every school year. Please take up your entitlement.

Free School Meals Application form

(this form states Sept 2009 but is the most up-to-date copy)