Free School meals

As the cost of living rises steeply, we as church communities are acutely aware of the impact on the most vulnerable in our society.

You will have heard the Mayor of London’s recent announcement that every London primary school pupil can access free school meals next academic year. This is welcome news! However, this scheme ends in September 2024 and does not include secondary schools, so it’s important to also highlight a recent change to government policy.

Since April 2022, families with “no resource to public funds” because of their immigration status can apply for their children to have free school meals.  Previously they were cut off from this, as with most other welfare support, but there has been a government policy change. It’s important that these families and their schools know about this change, and take up this offer if eligible.

As church communities we can help to spread this message. Indeed, through this awareness one CofE primary school raised over £13,000 in additional pupil premium funding.

 You are invited to a short online training on 8 June 16:00-17:15, hosted by the Compassionate Communities Team and London Diocesan Board for Schools. Speakers from Citizens UK will help us to understand this recent change to government policy on free school meals, so that we can help more families in poverty to access this provision.

The link to sign up is HERE

We would warmly welcome Headteachers, governors, business managers and pastoral care leads in our church schools to join, so do feel free to forward on this invitation.