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Woodbridge High School

Woodbridge High School

Free School Meals

Changes to free school meal eligibility under Universal Credit

The eligibility criteria for free school meals have been changed. Please read below to see how the changes might affect you.

What are the new eligibility criteria?

Children are entitled to receive free school meals if they or their parents or guardians receive any of the benefits below.

  • Universal Credit, provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
  •  Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

 

I don’t currently claim free school meals – what does this mean for me?

If you think you might be eligible for free school meals, submit a claim to your local authority https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/schools/free-school-meals/ The information you provide will be used to check if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and, if you are on Universal Credit, that your earnings do not exceed the threshold. If you claim Universal Credit, your earnings will be assessed from up to three of your last Universal Credit assessment periods.

If you are eligible, your school will be notified. Your child will receive free school meals and the school will receive extra funding which would be used to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after school activities.

 

I am currently claiming free school meals – what does this mean for me?

Most people won’t be affected by the new criteria. If you’re currently claiming free school meals, but don’t meet the new criteria, your child will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the Universal Credit rollout period. This will apply even if your earnings rise above the new threshold or if you stop being entitled to Universal Credit. The rollout period is currently scheduled to end in March 2022.

Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meal until the end of their current phase of education, i.e. primary or secondary.

 

Where can I get more information?

If you need any further information, please contact the local authority or visit 

https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/schools/free-school-meals/

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

 

 It is important to note that -

  • Taking up the meal is recommended but is not compulsory
  • A child may receive additional help as a result of being registered, for example help with the cost of music lessons or school trips
  • Registering a child for free school meals will bring more money to their school.

The school uses a cashless catering system. Students entitled to free school meals will have their account automatically credited with money. 

 

DISADVANTAGED SUBSIDY FUNDS: APPLICABLE TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS STUDENTS (FSM)

Please note that the school has a limited amount of funds available under the `Disadvantage Subsidy’. The purpose of this subsidy is to allow equal opportunity to all our pupils.  Accordingly, these funds may be used to support pupils and families in cases of financial hardship to allow pupils to access things including school trips, uniforms, music lessons etc. through a discount applied to the total cost.

For instance, if your child would like to participate in music lessons, but the full cost might prevent them from doing so, the school may be able to offer financial support. 

Families who are in receipt of free school meals may also apply to the school for financial assistance to help subsidise the cost of a school trip. Please email all requests to assistance@woodbridge.redbridge.sch.uk.  The decision to award assistance and the amount awarded will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Residential trips will be assessed on a trip by trip basis and those with significant curriculum value could also attract a discount. Where this applies, it will be made clear in the trip letter that is sent to parents.

We are able to support KS5 students who are in receipt of bursary. Resources which the school deems to be essential for the study of selected post- 16 courses will be provided for eligible students who qualify for the bursary. Additional support can be requested by students during their curriculum programme and this may then be granted at the discretion of the school. Requests should be made via the school online portal, Firefly, here: https://woodbridgehigh.fireflycloud.net/sixth-form/bursary

Enquiries about the bursary can be made via the Sixth Form administrator, Ms A Russell at arussell@woodbridgehigh.co.uk

Parents are also able to contact me on the email address below to discuss other forms of financial assistance they may require. Thank you.

Mr Steacy-Buck

Assistant Headteacher

jbuck@woodbridgehigh.co.uk