To think that this is wrong and on par with benefit fraud?

[littleplasticinedinosaur]

School that my child goes to has asked in the newsletter that every parent who is entitled to free school meals applys, even if they don't need it or they continue to bring sandwiches, because the school will receive a large sum of money each year.

I think that this is totally wrong, and the school shouldn't be profitting in this way. The money is supposed to be there to ensure that children living on the poverty line get a meal. And if the parents don't want or need it then the money should go back into the pot for something else.

Surely you're not being required to pay for GCSE set texts at a state school Human Catapult?

What the school are doing is correct - the pupil premium money is paid per pupil entitled to receive free school meals. If there are pupils in the school who are entitled to free school meals but bring a packed lunch then the school is missing out on vital extra funding. The actual cost of the school meals comes from a different funding stream - no one is making a fraudulent claim!!!

Yellowtip

Yes you are here . They can use one in school shared between pupild but since most homework Is tied into it etc you have to buy them and yes this is a normal state school . Every pupil is expected to have their set books for gcse expensive considering , history , geography and Rs have 2 books each

I am a teacher and will try and explain - money allocated for children with additional special needs is partly calculated on the out-of-date assumption that children who are disadvantaged, may need extra funding for education. Thus meaning that the school are banded based on their 'free-school meal' uptake. If parents don't apply then the school budget is dramatically cut, meaning that ALL children in the school are at a disadvantage. Whether this is right or wrong is up for debate, but nevertheless it is the historical method of funding allocation. It has absolutely nothing to do with actually having a 'free meal'