What's happened to Free School Meals provision?

[Carpathian2]

I've just had this from my child's school

@HikeForward

No I totally understood that that poster was talking about a village in a hot, poor country. That post totally conveyed what she was trying to say about people who have grown up in other countries can be quite bemused about how some people are quite entitled in this country.

[quote UndertheCedartree]@FlamingoAtTheBingo - fsm have been around for donkeys years. Not sure many remember a time without them. I never expected to be in a position to need fsm when I chose to have my DC. Unfortunately I had a mental breakdown and couldn't work. I may claim.benefits but I'm still responsible for a hell of a lot to do with the care of my DC.[/quote]
I'm 65, and FSM were a thing even when I was in primary.

I remember it well, because the teachers called out our names from the register and we went up and paid our "dinner money". When they got to the name of a child who got FSM, they would say "(child's name) - free meals".

I asked my mum why some kids got free meals and she explained that some families were too poor to pay for them, and that it was awful that this became public knowledge because every child in their class knew.

That was a good lesson for a 6-year old to learn, imo.

@MistleTOEboughski, your reference to "cake and custard" just gave me a vivid flashback to the delicious coconut sponge and custard they used to serve at my primary school!

It was positively Proustian.

[quote NiceandCalm]@Chel098 - the school can only claim Pupil Premium if the child is eligible for FSC, so there must be a link there somewhere?

I'd be happy with a weekly food box - so if they still have to pay the caterers then surely they can plan ahead weekly and box the ingredients up? Is all that food going to waste? Why insist on a daily trip, so unnecessary. My DS's school is open for KW's children and they will have to pay for their lunch as always. I'm not asking for anything above and beyond what they would normally provide.
Anyway, I've emailed the school and suggested weekly boxes and will see what they say.[/quote]
It’s hard because everybody is shouting different things that they would like. I think travelling everyday to collect a food parcel is not ideal for both parties involved! But I can see how it’s more cost effective.

To collect a food parcel once a week would be much better. Again though it’s staff and time it’s the majority of the school not just you.

Food won’t be going to waste I imagine the food has been cooked for the amount of children currently attending school.

I remember it well, because the teachers called out our names from the register and we went up and paid our "dinner money". When they got to the name of a child who got FSM, they would say "(child's name) - free meals".

Yes, I remember that when I was at school and felt really sorry for the children having their names called out. DH was one of them and found it very humiliating. That's why I don't like the idea of children potentially having to queue up to collect food during the pandemic. It's not nice for them.

@HikeForward

Unfortunately having spoken to a number of people during the last half term when we were doing free school meals actually a large number would let their children go hungry rather than be embarrassed by going somewhere to pick up

Letting their children go hungry to save their own pride?
Should those children not be classed as vulnerable?
A parent who cannot afford to feed their children yet refuses to pick up free food boxes for their children because they’re embarrassed... isn’t that neglect?

Or a sign their children were not really going hungry and parents were lying because they wanted vouchers?

You can’t lie. They assess your eligibility online with your income details

@LakieLady

Posters saying they could get MORE for £15, surely that should raise questions about the catering companies providing food to schools and why can a mum buy more for £15 than schools with planned menus and more buying power?

Because the catering companies make a profit, and have overheads, both of which take up a chunk of that £15 per head. Families don't.

Yes they make a big profit sometimes We used to pay £2.20 for each lunch I think anyway i had to be given the nutritional info once due to allergies anyway I was given the wrong paperwork and noted that 2 days a week the dessert was a fruit slushie costed up at 10 pence per portion and the meals themselves were quite cheap so some caterers must be making quite a bit

I can’t believe that poster has made that point. That’s the same for people who go to a restaurant. It’s not the staff that are earning a big wage it will be the owner of the restaurant. You would of thought that this is obvious that the catering company has staff wages to pay and so on.

You're being patronising, of course everybody understands that child poverty in the UK isn't as extreme as in some parts of the world. We're allowed to want a decent standard of living for poor kids in the UK even if we aren't having to scour a rubbish pile for edible food

Clearly people don’t understand how lucky we are in the U.K compared to much of the world; if they did they wouldn’t be complaining about the contents of free food parcels or the hassle and embarrassment of having to collect these parcels.

Who said anything about ‘scouring rubbish piles for edible food’? Our government with its benefits systems and FSM and food boxes and food banks provides ‘a decent standard of living’ for most children in this country. There are few countries with a welfare state as generous as ours.

Accusing parents of lying about not being able to afford food is a really low blow that isn't supported by the facts

If parents don’t need the food boxes because they CAN afford to feed their kids, they shouldn’t be accepting the food vouchers or extra payments or FSM at school, I’m sure if they let the school know they are not in need they’ll be taken off the list. Those vouchers and payments are for people genuinely in need of food for their children.

Clearly people don’t understand how lucky we are in the U.K compared to much of the world; if they did they wouldn’t be complaining about the contents of free food parcels or the hassle and embarrassment of having to collect these parcels.

Apart from the fact that it's not a race to the bottom, I don't see how the fact that some people are worse off would make anybody less embarrassed to collect a free food parcel.

Our government with its benefits systems and FSM and food boxes and food banks provides ‘a decent standard of living’ for most children in this country. There are few countries with a welfare state as generous as ours.

You do realise that food banks are not provided by the government will benefit system don't you? The fact they have to be used by so many nowadays demonstrates the government are not actually doing a very good job.

I agree with hike.

It sounds like a decent box of food. Just need to buy maybe a bag of pasta, ham and some butter. Plenty of options such as pancakes, omelette, beans on toast, jacket & cheese, boiled egg, cheese on toast.

Surely not many people will be collecting the boxes & the only people there will be in the same boat? I wouldn't judge someone anyway.

Not sure if people in the UK are aware that in every other EU country parents have to buy everything for school - so exercise books, pens, textbooks, colouring pens etc. So if pupil loses exercise book parents have to buy a new one. No free photocopying - parents pay to top up the account. They get a list of equipment every year. They don't really have tutors or heads of year to look out for them.

In my time as a teacher in UK I have seen kids given lots free - school meals, help with uniform, school trips covered, revision guides, extra tuition. Now laptops & WiFi.

I don't begrudge the child those things - however I do believe parents should be grateful that this government is stepping in to help. I am grateful for the things my children's school provides free - such as swimming lessons and a few other things.

Schools are working hard to close the gap & I think parents should appreciate this.

bella in some cases the government are giving support that an absent father should be giving. It's usually the Mum left trying to muddle through.

I think there should be support for Mums left with bringing up children alone. But it's not just the government's responsibility.

@converseandjeans

bella in some cases the government are giving support that an absent father should be giving. It's usually the Mum left trying to muddle through.

I think there should be support for Mums left with bringing up children alone. But it's not just the government's responsibility.

It's not the child's fault that their father is absent are not contributing so not sure what your point is.

Not sure if people in the UK are aware that in every other EU country parents have to buy everything for school - so exercise books, pens, textbooks, colouring pens etc. So if pupil loses exercise book parents have to buy a new one. No free photocopying - parents pay to top up the account. They get a list of equipment every year. They don't really have tutors or heads of year to look out for them.

Many parents of secondary school children have to buy those things here. DD's school don't provide them for most children.

@SendHelp30

This is absolutely ridiculous and when taxes rise, the people who have benefitted from any of these incentives that we will pay back through taxes will be the first ones to complain!

Labour already started complaining.

Keir" "Boris said he will support local authorities he needs to do it!

Boris "LA can raise taxes by up to 5% with 3% ring fences for adult social care"

Keith "what a disgrace Boris punishing families he promised to support"

bella my point is that people always blame the government & maybe sometimes the absent parent should be held accountable?

I would be surprised if in a secondary school in the UK a student was given a list at the start of the year with textbooks & exercise books to purchase? Do you really have to buy textbooks & exercise books?

Apparently it's hundreds of Euros of kit. My colleagues at school (I teach MFL) from Italy, France, Spain, Germany are astounded at how much kit we hand out. There's also no in school pastoral support in European schools. They are surprised at how it's expected in the UK & that no responsibility is taken for lost items.

I just don't know if it's appreciated.

Of course I don't begrudge children being supported. They need all the help to succeed. I just think people should be aware of how other countries don't offer the same support.

Clearly people don’t understand how lucky we are in the U.K compared to much of the world; if they did they wouldn’t be complaining about the contents of free food parcels or the hassle and embarrassment of having to collect these parcels

It's perfectly possible to understand, as a poor person in the UK, that our welfare state is an amazing thing and it's even possible to be grateful but at the same time still be frustrated at the lack of understanding of the reality of the lives of some people eligible for these parcels. The distance involved, lack of transport, cost of , transport, issues with isolation expectations, food not being food your child will eat, that your neighbour may find out, that your child will be bullied etc etc Just be kind. And grateful it's not you.

I would be surprised if in a secondary school in the UK a student was given a list at the start of the year with textbooks & exercise books to purchase? Do you really have to buy textbooks & exercise books?

Yes. I think people on free school meals don't have to pay but everyone else does.

Yes. I think people on free school meals don't have to pay but everyone else does.
Literally never heard of that at any secondary school I know of. At DS's school they dont even bring exercise books and text books home they all stay at school.

@Bunnybigears

Yes. I think people on free school meals don't have to pay but everyone else does. Literally never heard of that at any secondary school I know of. At DS's school they dont even bring exercise books and text books home they all stay at school.

Does this happen even in the sixth form?

No idea no Sixth Forms round here, people leave school and go to college where I expect they have to buy their own supplies as it is college not school.

I've just been reading the new guidelines as were a family who claim free school meals

Last time the vouchers were a great help as we received £30 a week which was perfect as Asda would deliver a mid week shop to us as it was over £25

Seems strange this time round that the food parcel provided by school is up to £3.50 per child per week whereas the voucher is for £15 per child per week

I'm expecting to be asked to pop up to school each week to collect which we won't do as we're on the shielding list

I don't expect anyone to drop it off but it does seem strange that a voucher is £15 but a box is up to £3.50

It's perfectly possible to understand, as a poor person in the UK, that our welfare state is an amazing thing and it's even possible to be grateful but at the same time still be frustrated at the lack of understanding of the reality of the lives of some people eligible for these parcels. The distance involved, lack of transport, cost of , transport, issues with isolation expectations, food not being food your child will eat, that your neighbour may find out, that your child will be bullied etc etc Just be kind. And grateful it's not you.*

THIS! ^^ I wish people would read this and just get it in to their heads.

I think this thread has just further highlighted some people’s attitude that if you receive any sort of help, you should be on your knees feeling eternally grateful. You can be grateful but you don’t have to be happy.

superstar I think that's strange - I don't imagine you could get 5 x lunch per week for that?

I reckon it's the canteen providers taking a cut.

You should ask - pretty sure someone would drop off if you're shielding. There's always someone happy to help.

bella 6th form might be different and parents would be expected to buy some materials eg paper & some books. Bursary students would get help with that. I honestly don't know of any primary or lower secondary school which expects parents to buy all the books. However I stand corrected if you're having to pay for all exercise & text books.

We won't ask as if I'm honest I'd feel really embarrassed with the amount to extra work teachers have on at the moment

As I said we can manage ok without it but the vouchers definitely took some pressure off