Free
School Meals: Are You Missing Out?
Around 1.8 million UK children are entitled to free school meals but
more than 350,000 pupils don't get their entitlement.*
For
some children, the social stigma or even teasing attached to 'being on
free dinners' puts them off.
Sometimes,
pupils receiving free meals have to queue up separately, in other schools
they have to wait until 'paying' children have been served. Often parents
don't realise they're entitled or are discouraged by the bureaucracy.
Does
it matter?
Yes! Children who eat well during the day concentrate better in lessons.
Sitting down to a meal together is an important part of children's social
education. Also, one child in four doesn't get a hot dinner in the evening.
Other
reasons why free school dinners are important:
- 7%
of schoolchildren don't eat breakfast
- Up
to 10% of children are deterred from buying lunch at school by the cost
(the average amount spent on a school meal is £1.46)
- Researchers
in the US found students scored higher in tests when the nutritional
content of school meals was improved
- 70%
of UK parents say there is too little time to prepare meals and then
enjoy eating them as a family so the school meal is the only opportunity
many children have to enjoy eating as a social activity
- Weight-for-weight,
UK pupils eat 4 times as much confectionery as green vegetables.
- In
an average class of 30 children, 6 pupils will not eat any fruit in
a week.
Who
qualifies?
In England, 21% of pupils are eligible for free school dinners. Your local
education authority has a legal obligation to offer free school meals
to children whose parents receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's
Allowance (plus children of asylum seekers) so if you fit any of these
criteria, your children qualify. However, as soon as you stop claiming
the benefits, free school meals stop too.
How
do you claim?
Depending on your LEA, you can collect a form from the school or sometimes
apply over the internet - like Housing Benefit, the exact process depends
on where you live. Your child's teacher will know what to do if you're
unsure.
Remember
the parent/guardian who actually claims the benefits must fill out the
application form and you'll need to include information like your NI number,
Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit serial number, the address
of your DSS Office/Benefits Agency and your previous address if you've
moved house within the last year. If you need any extra help, the Citizens'
Advice Bureaux provide free assistance from experienced staff.
What difference will it make?
The good news is that once you've completed
the form, it's not necessary to re-apply every year, only when your child
changes school. On average, a family with 2 children spends over £500
per year on school meals so it's well worth checking out your entitlement.
* Child Poverty Action Group 2006
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