Free School Meals

Free School Meals & Pupil Premium

Your child may be eligible to receive free school meals (and thus Pupil Premium funding) if you are in receipt of:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400)
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, only with an annual income of under £16,190 per year
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Children eligible for free school meals on or after April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling they are in even if your circumstances change.

In order to access this funding, you must apply online only via the East Sussex County Council website at: https://admissions.eastsussex.gov.uk/Enrol/Website/default.aspx

Since 2011, pupil premium is the funding scheme which allows schools to access additional funding linked to the number of children claiming free school meals. Those pupils who are in receipt of Free School Meals, or who have had Free School Meals in the last 6 years, are eligible for support with this Premium, as are pupils who are currently in care.

Pupil Premium is funding received from the Government with the aim of closing the gap in attainment between pupils from low income and disadvantaged families and their peers. At St. Richard’s, we are sensitive about our handling of support for pupils and offer discretion to parents/carers accessing this funding.

It is, therefore, vital that parents who qualify for free school meals apply even if they do not wish to take up the offer of a free school meal.

Please see the qualifying criteria at the bottom of the page.

To view eligibility for free school meals and a link to the application please go to the following website: https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schools/school-life/meals/free/