Eligibility and how to apply for Free School Meals

How to apply for Free School Meals

• Contact the school office, or

• Apply online for an eligibility check, clicking on the following link:

• https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/southampton/

If your child is eligible for ‘Free School Meals’ and you register them for this, the school will receive extra funding called ‘Pupil Premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources within our school.

What is Pupil Premium funding?

Pupil Premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils maximise their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:

• Are registered for Free School Meals

• Have been registered for Free School Meals at any point in the past 6 years

• Are currently, or have ever been, in care

• Have parents in the Armed Forces

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Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?

• Your child might be eligible if you access:

  Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on

• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Currently, pupils in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Free School Meal, thanks to a different government funding scheme known as Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium.

If your child is in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 and is eligible for Free School Meals according to the criteria above, you should still register because the school will receive the extra Pupil Premium funding.