At Clarendon Juniors we aim to support our families as much as possible. With the current cost of living crisis affecting us all, we wanted to remind our families of additional support available through the free school meals strategy from the government.

For children in years 3 and above, universal free school meals are not provided automatically with funds from the government like they were in Infants. However, they can be awarded if you receive any of the benefits detailed below.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of State 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

For the school and your child to benefit from this money we need to know that you are receiving a qualifying benefit, no matter what year your child is in.

Registering your child for free school meals means that the school gets extra money.

The government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called a Pupil Premium.

For every child registered the school gets £1,385 for primary-aged pupils.

How does it work?

If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that’s great – they will get the free school meal (saving you more than £350 a year) and the school gets £1,385 extra.

If you don’t want your child to have the free school meals they can continue as normal – as long as you qualify and are registered, the school still gets £1,385 extra.

Please remember you must qualify and register for the free school meals for the school to receive the extra money even if you do not want your child to have the free school meals.

Registering for free school meals is confidential, no one will know you have registered, and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

If your child is entitled to Free School Meals, we will provide a packed lunch and carton of milk for them.

Please ensure that you have applied through Wiltshire Council using this link:

Free School Meals