Registering for free school meals will increase school funding

Bristol schools will be receiving extra cash for each pupil registered for free school dinners.

The Governments pupil premium scheme will give an extra £430 for every child getting the free meals.

Parents who receive benefits including Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Child Tax Credit – but not Working Tax Credit, can register to receive the meals.

Children whose parents earn less than £16,000 per year, those who have been ‘looked after’ continuously for 6 months and a smaller premium of £200 for Service families will also generate the extra school funding.

Registering does not mean the child has to swap from their packed lunch if that is preferred, but the school will not get the money if the child is not registered.

The decision to the number of children each school is eligible for will be taken at the census point on 20 January 2011.
Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: “The Government is recognising that we must focus resources on our most disadvantaged pupils. This will benefit Bristol schools, many of which do have high levels of deprivation. Currently, there are 10,117 Bristol children eligible for free school meals.

“The overall school funding settlement is challenging, with the same amount of funding per pupil as last year. But combined with the pupil premium, it should mean than many of our schools receive more money than last year. This makes it more important than ever that schools ensure they have accurate data on how many pupils are eligible for free schools meals. I would urge all heads to work with parents and carers to raise awareness of the free school meals entitlement. With this extra funding now available, it really is in everyone’s interest to register.”