Universal Infant Free School Meals
The Government announced from September 2014, all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 school pupils in England will be eligible for free school meals. This is to encourage a balanced diet from an early age and help children be as healthy as possible.
Evidence shows that providing free school meals:
- Leads to positive improvements in health and academic attainment;
- Helps families with the cost of living;
- Provides up to 3 out of 5 of your child’s 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables;
- Helps children learn to communicate and interact with each other;
- Aids concentration during lessons;
- Is a great way to create an interest in food as well as introduce new foods to your child.
We hope that all parents of infant children will opt to take advantage of free school meals but you can make your own arrangements if you prefer.
To find out more about school meals in our school and view a current menu see our School Meals page.
If you have older children at this school they won’t be entitled to a free school meal on this scheme. To find out if you are eligible please see our Free School Meals page.
This scheme DOES NOT entitle your child to free school Milk. If you are entitled and register for Free School Meals this will also entitle your child to Free School Milk (apply above).
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All children who are entitled to Free School Meals because of their family circumstances bring an additional money into the school budget to support their learning experiences at school. This money is known as Pupil Premium money and enables school to plan and support learning opportunities for these children.
If your child is entitled to free school meals anyway you still need to apply and register your entitlement otherwise school will not receive this additional funding.
To help ensure that Bowker Vale is able to claim the correct level of funding, if you think you are eligible, please complete the claim form available at the school office.
