Information for families in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Free School Meals and Pupil Premium

All infant school children in the following year groups are entitled to free school meals:

  • year R - reception class
  • year 1
  • year 2

Parent(s) who are on one of the qualifying benefits may also apply under the 'benefit' based free school meals criteria. This will then enable your child's school to access The Pupil Premium Grant. This grant must be spent by the school to help eligible pupils to reach their full potential, both academically and socially. The school decides how best to spend this.

 

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Free school meals for children in year 3 and above

Free school meals are available for children in year 3 and above whose parents receive any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)
  • Child Tax Credit based on an income below £16,190
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Asylum Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Working Tax Credit 'run-on' which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit (up to an annual net income of £7,400

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

Please note - families who receive any level of Working Tax Credit are not eligible for free school meals.

Please click on the link for more information and how to apply.

 

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Pupil Premium Funding

Pupil Premium is additional funding that the Government gives to mainstream and special schools in England to help children from low income families.

If your child qualifies for free school meals because you are in receipt of one of the benefits listed in the section above, the school will receive additional funding. It must be spent to help eligible pupils reach their full potential, both academically and socially, and the school will decide how best to spend this. Schools will receive the following funding for eligible pupils:

  • £1,320 for primary-aged pupils
  • £935 for secondary-aged pupils
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