school meals

[Creeper8]

I am on benefits atm as I am a single mum. My child is disabled and im her carer. She recently went into year 3 and as no one told me I had to apply for free school meals I have been paying full price since september the 4th, its costing alot of money and im struggling to afford it. I applied for free school meals through the council but have been told my dds school is an academy(?!) news to me as
I thought it was just a regular primary school! Its says I should speak to the school directly for any help. does anyone know if she is entitled to anything? as like I said struggling to keep up with it. thanks

That seems odd. Where abouts are you in the country?

It shouldn't matter if it's an academy or not. My children go to an academy and though we don't qualify for free school meals they do offer it as they can claim from the government. Just go to the reception office and just ask to apply for free school meals.

My son's school is an academy and do offer free school meals for children where they are eligible. I've just looked up our free school meals policy and the relevant requirements are:

If you receive any of the following support payments your child is entitled to receive free school meals.

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker?s Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, or Child Tax Credit, as long as you are not

entitled to Working Tax Credit and have a yearly income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that is not

more than £16,190

• Income-related employment and support allowance

• Guarantee part of Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit

This must be the same for all schools regardless of academy status? Parents apply through the school.

In the meantime can you put your child on pack lunches?

Have you asked the school about it?

no I havent spoken to the school yet as I was unaware they were an academy. I was told to apply through the council as thats where you download the forms from but I just had an email earlier saying she is not entitled to it due to the school being an academy. Im in london.

Academies still qualify, our school is one and they beg parents to apply for it if they qualify as they get the extra funding.

It might just be that the school has to apply for it rather than the parent, but that's just a guess.

This is on the government website, so I would imagine that you apply to the school then the school applies to the government, as it doesn't come from the council.

Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council. They’re run by an academy trust which employs the staff.

Creeper8 have you looked at your schools website for its school meal policies?

My boys school is another who practically begs people to apply for the free school meals so it gains the pupil premium funding.

I've never heard of a school which doesn't support eligible children on free school meals.

Speak to the school office OP. They should be able to give you the forms. Ask them if it can be done urgently as you are currently paying for the meals. Packed lunches may work out cheaper, depending on what your child eats.

Thanks. I thought about the lunches but dd has autism and just wouldnt allow it

will speak with them tomorrow