Are you eligible for free school meals? Apply now!

Dear Parents and Carers

Is your child eligible to receive Free School Meals?

Register now to make sure you’re not missing out.

Children who are eligible for free school meals have the allowance attached to their school account every day so they are able to make their own food choices and purchase it in the same way as other students.

In addition, the Government provides money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called the ‘Pupil Premium’. It is worked out based on the number of children who are currently or have previously received Free School Meals.

With this money we provide a range of support to ensure our students make good progress and reach their potential. It helps fund Maths, English and Science coaches, Year group Advocates, support with instrumental lessons, school trips, resources and revision guides to give just a few examples.

Please register before the end of September to make sure your child doesn’t miss out.

How does it work?

1. First, check if you qualify – it is not only if you are unemployed, so please look at the list below.

Who is eligible?

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

• 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 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 – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

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

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022.

If your child is eligible for free school meals, an allowance is put onto their online account each day allowing them to choose and purchase their food.

2. If you are unsure if you qualify, you can check either by emailing the Brighton FSM Team on freeschoolmeals@brighton-hove.gov.ukor you can check yourself via https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/. Follow the link to ‘check eligibility’. Click on the blue ‘proceed’ button, select ‘Brighton and Hove’ and ‘Patcham High School’. If you agree to their privacy notice, you can enter your surname, National Insurance number and Date of Birth and you will receive an instant notification if you are eligible or not. If you are eligible you should then complete the Brighton and Hove application herehttps://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/schools/free-school-meals . As soon as this is processed we will arrange for the FSM payments to go onto your child’s account daily to enable them to purchase food in the canteen.

If you have any further questions or you would like any support with a FSM application, please contact Jayne Newman on jnewman@patchamhigh.org.uk or on (01273) 503908.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Astley

Lead Practitioner & DA Lead

rastley@patchamhigh.org.uk