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From 1 April 2011, schools will be given additional funding by the
Government, called a pupil premium, for every child who applies for
a free school meal. This money will be spent on helping pupils who
are underachieving to reach their full potential.
Pupils
whose parent or guardian receives one or more of the following
benefits is entitled to a free school meal:
-
Income
support
-
Income
based job seekers allowance
-
Employment and support allowance
-
Child
tax credit, provided you don't also receive working tax credit
and have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue,
that does not exceed £16,190
-
Guarantee credit element of state pension credit;
-
Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Children
who receive income support or income based job seekers allowance in
their own right are also eligible.
Jonathan
Lewis, assistant director for resources within children's services,
said: "We are aware there are children who attend Peterborough
schools who are entitled to free school meals but do not realise it.
We are also aware that some parents choose not to take up the
entitlement to a free school meal.
"The new
pupil premium means that even if you don’t wish to access a free
daily meal, applying will mean that your child's school will receive
further funding."
Richard
Lord, principal of Ken Stimpson Community School, said: "Currently
around 11 per cent of our pupils receive free school meals but
potentially there are twice as many pupils who are entitled but
their parents or carers are unaware that they qualify or choose not
to.
"Students
who qualify for free school meals have £2.20 credited automatically
to their cashless catering card each day. This represents a saving
of £44 per child each month. It is impossible for other students to
know which students have benefitted from free school meals and which
have not as all schools now operate a cashless system."
To find
out if your child is entitled to a free school meal please contact
your local school who can check your eligibility with just a few
simple details.
January 2011 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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