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Free school meals

 

Free School Meals and Pupil Premium

If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.

What is pupil premium funding?

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:

· Are registered for free school meals

· Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years

· Are, or have been, in care

· Have parents in the armed forces

At Curzon, we get an extra £1,550 (this figure is for the 2026/2027 financial year) for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.

For example, we’ve previously used pupil premium funding for:

· extra support for children who need catch-up lessons

· extra support for children who need wellbeing support

Is my child eligible for free school meals?

Your child might be eligible if you access:

TARGETED ELIGIBILITY

  •  Universal Credit with an annual net earned household income of no more than £7,400
  •  Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 P
  • The guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
  • Income Based Employment and Support Allowance
  •  Parents with No Recourse to Public Funds contact your school about how to apply under this criteria
  • Children who receive Universal Credit in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals

EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY 

Universal Credit with an annual net earned income OVER £7,400

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Currently, pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with ‘free school meals’ and the pupil premium.

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and is eligible for free school meals according to the criteria above, you should still register because we’ll receive the extra pupil premium funding.

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?

No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches, you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.

How do I register?

Please contract the office. office@czn.odbst.org.