Free School Meals Application

Who is eligible for free school meals?

*Taken from Free school meals (publishing.service.gov.uk)  

Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals as follows:

  • Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies even if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time.
  • In addition, any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025.
  • After March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).

A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal when a claim for the meal has been made on their behalf and their eligibility, or protected status, has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority.

 

If you think that you might eligible for free school meals then please download and complete this application form. Any problems or queries please email finance@waingels.wokingham.sch.uk

For more information about Free School Meals and eligibility please go to: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-information-and-services/free-school-meals-and-extra-funding-your

 

Students receiving free school meals get a daily allowance of £2.53 put onto their school account. This can not be carried over to the following day. 

Please look at the canteen page on our website here to see what is available for £2.53. We recommend the meal deal as the best value. It includes a hot meal and a tray bake cake. Breakfast is also served from 8am to 8.30am, which includes free porridge and toast with a range of toppings.

Wokingham Holiday, Activity and Food Programme

If your child is in receipt of benefit related free school meals (FSM) and attends school within the Wokingham Borough, they are eligible for a voucher to book free sessions on the Holiday, Activities, and Food (HAF) Programme.

This programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and provides free activities with a healthy meal to children and young people in school years from Reception to Year 11 who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals (or who have been referred by a professional who works with their family) during the main school holidays of Easter, Summer and Christmas. 

For more information including how to book please go to https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/children-families-and-young-people/children-and-families/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme

Other support that is available:

Woodley Foodbank – this operates from Emmanuel Church, Southlake Crescent. You can contact them using either info@woodleyfoodbank.org or on 07806658995

Waingels Support & Enquiries- pupilsupport@waingels.wokingham.sch.uk 

First Days - First Days reduces the long term effect of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years and at school. You can contact them here or on 01189 219 338.

Woodley Lunch Bunch – Supports with lunches in the school holidays. You can contact them here.

Wokingham Borough Council Holiday, activities and food programme – Provide a range of support in the school holidays. For full details, including how to book a place, see the website.

Wokingham Citizens’ Advice - We want to ensure that no-one feels left behind – no matter what you’re facing – our team are here to help you access the support available. This could include our advice and information on welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment law amongst other areas, or helping you to access services from other charities and services in the Borough to meet your needs.

Anderson Baptist Church- Tuesday 10am – 12pm, 6-8 Amherst Road, Earley, Reading,Berkshire.UK. RG6 1NU  0118 376 1079

Woodley Baptist Church- Everyday 9am -12.30pm Hurricane Way, Woodley, Reading RG5 4UX 0118 969 9956

Share Wokingham [Poster Below]- Click here for website

Share Wokingham