Students who are entitled to free school meals, will automatically have funds to the value of £2.60 applied to their accounts. The £2.60 will cover a Meal Deal which includes a main meal choice and fruit, yoghurt or cake for dessert. Students are encouraged to take up this offer as it provides the best value for money and a full meal.

The £2.60 is allocated each day and any unspent funds are not carried over. Parents of students who are entitled to Free School Meals may also wish to add additional funds should the student wish to purchase other food.

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Who is entitled?

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Families in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to obtain Free School Meals for their children. These benefits are

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

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

• The guarantee 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 – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for

• Working Tax Credit

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In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals as follows :

• From 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants will continue to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This will apply even if their earnings rise above the new threshold during that time.

• In addition, any child gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period.

• Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary). The Universal Credit rollout is currently expected to complete in March 2022.

 

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

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Make an application

 

Applications for free school meals should be made via your home local authority. Visit Swindon LA's webpage for more information about how to apply. Visit website

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Why apply? Pupil Premium

 

Any student who applies and is entitled to free school meals obtain additional funding for GWA. This is called pupil premium. In 2018 each eligible  Yr 7 - 11 student attract £1,035 additional funding for secondary schools so we would encourage those families to apply. The money is designated to raise the attainment for those pupils who are eligible for FSM.

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Pupil premium is also awarded to Looked After Children and Service children.

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To read more about our Pupil Premium strategy view here