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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Free school meals

17 replies

localmum · 26/09/2011 20:01

We recently had a letter (sent out to all parents) asking anyone entiltled to free school meals to make the school aware, as apparantly the school can get extra funding on this basis.

Would that just be for the meals, or would the school be able to get funding to help those students with things like music lessons, exchange visits etc?

Are there any grants/funding available to assist students, for example taleted musicians, who cannot afford to have lessons?

TIA

OP posts:

Original poster

localmum · 26/09/2011 20:02

Talented. Should have proof read my post.

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Iwantacampervan · 26/09/2011 20:15

In our area, if you get certain benefits then the county music lessons are free regardless of talent.
Im not sure about a scholarship type scheme.
The extra funding for those on free school meals can be spent on anything i think (and not necessarily directly on those in receipt of the meals). Often it helps fund extra tuition/support.

Original poster

localmum · 26/09/2011 20:18

How can I find out? Is there a web site I could look at?

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Iwantacampervan · 26/09/2011 20:24

If the county/LEA website isn't useful then I would ring the finance office as they deal with the payments/requests. Sorry that I can't be more use but I imagine that things are decided at a local level rather than national.
We got details about free music lessons along with the termly request for payment.

dottyT · 26/09/2011 20:42

The school will get a pupil premium which it can use as it sees fit to support those children who would get free school meals or have other needs. So I'd ask - directly/via the PTA - how the additional money will be used.

LemonMousse · 26/09/2011 21:41

Some residential visits are free for children eligible for free meals. Things like a geography field trip to an LEA centre - that sort of thing so, even if your child wants to take packed lunch to school it can still be beneficial to be registered for free meals.

Original poster

localmum · 26/09/2011 22:30

Thanks. It isn't my child, but a child in the same class. I know the family are struggling financially, and I know that the school know this, but I don't think the school are making much effort to help, and the child is missing out.

I don't think parents should have to go cap in hand to the HT. I do feel the school should be proactive in offering families help - especially if they have asked them to fill in forms so that the school knows whether they are entitled to free meals.

It is a state school BTW.

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LemonMousse · 27/09/2011 15:17

Is the child concerned already recieving free school meals and you are enquiring what else they might be entitled to?

Or have the family not applied for free meals yet?

Our LEA (Durham) definitely funds free music tuition (including instrument hire) for free meals children but I'm not sure if this is just a local or nationwide thing.

I don't think they would offer any financial assistance for a child to go on an exchange visit. As I said before they do if it's an LEA approved centre but not for visits abroad or exchanges (to the best of my knowledge).

Your best bet would be to contact your LEA for information on what is or isn't available to free meals children within your local authority.

reshetima · 27/09/2011 19:44

If it were me I'd ring the school bursar, not the PTA (who in my experience focus on fund-raising, rather than funds allocation - but the person up-post may have different experience).

Yellowstone · 27/09/2011 23:11

Any pupil eligible for FSM will get meals paid for but will also qualify for a Pupil Premium of £430 which the school is able to use at its discretion but is intended to support the individual pupil's learning.

For the academic year 2011/12 the funding to schools is based on those signed up in Jan 2011 as far as I know so there might not be £430 available for Sept 2011/12 if more pupils have signed on at the school since that date.

It is definitely a matter to discuss with the HT in a small primary school or with the bursar or business manager in a larger school or secondary. It's not PTA kind of stuff.

LunarRose · 27/09/2011 23:20

Yes certainly there are for primary school children to help them engage in extra curriculum activities

Original poster

localmum · 28/09/2011 04:16

Thanks Yellowstone. Does that apply to secondary school?

I had a feeling that I had read somewhere that there was money available to assist/support children from low income families, if they were entitled to free school meals.

To be honest, my feeling is that this particular school is deliberately not making this known, or offering the support to the families in question.

I just can't find anything on the LA website.

It probably isn't my business, but I can't help but feel that it is unfair.

OP posts:

Original poster

localmum · 28/09/2011 04:30

Yellowstone, where can I find that information? Does it apply to all state schools, or are there any exceptions?

Thanks

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ibizagirl · 28/09/2011 06:14

Hi localmum. My dd is in receipt of free school meals but does not take them as they are horrid! But we don't get any help with the cost of trips etc. The school does send out a standard letter with trip letters stating that if you need assistance with trips then they can help. I did receive a clothing grant for uniform at the start of year 7 and this paid for a blazer (the grant was for forty odd pounds and the blazer was almost fifty) so that was a great help.

Yellowstone · 28/09/2011 08:36

It applies to all state schools localmum, whatever their status and applies to all pupils Reception to Form 11. It's a new initiative as from this Sept.

The LEA have all the info.

It might be worth those on FSM checking with the school as to how they're using the additional funding to help support the particular child.

DepartmentForEducation · 14/11/2011 15:20

'If you register now for Free School Meals, your school will receive more money ? the Pupil Premium - from Government funds. Schools can spend this on things like breakfast or after school clubs, tuition in English and Maths or learning assistants to provide extra support. Some schools and Local Authorities will also offer you further benefits if you are registered for Free School Meals, such as help with the cost of school trips. It is up to you whether you want your child to eat the free meal, although this is recommended and can save you about £350 per year. Registering for Free School Meals is confidential, and your children's classmates (and other parents) won't know they are registered. Find out more here www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200057

SparklePrincess · 14/11/2011 23:28

My children get free school meals, & I generally don't contribute to anything classed as a "voluntary contribution" unfortunately this does not stop the school secretaries harassing & trying to guilt trip me into paying. :( This p**s me off all the more now I know they get extra funding to cover these things.

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