28 Nov 2005 - Free School meals - The facts!
28th November 2005
Dear Parents
Free School meals - The facts!
I thought I would take this opportunity to remind parents about the free school meal system that we have place in school. This may be particularly relevant as we about to introduce the new 'dot' system of choosing meals. (Please see accompanying letter)
We feel that, in recent years, there may have been a poor uptake of this entitlement, for a variety of reasons. The first reason may be that parents feel that there was a stigma attached to those children that were entitled to free school lunches. May I take this opportunity to reassure you that an application for free school meals is dealt with, in the strictest confidence. At no time will children be identified as entitled to free meals, and they will order and collect their school lunch in the same way as all other children.
Requests for application forms can be made in writing, by telephone, or you can call into the school office if you prefer. A form will then be sent to you in a sealed envelope, via your child. The completed application, along with recent evidence of entitlement, should be returned to the school office. Office staff will then check the application and evidence, and authorise the application. A letter confirming that your application has been authorised will be sent to you, via your child. Applications are made on a termly basis. A renewal letter will be sent to you towards the end of the term, and we would ask that you promptly complete and return it, in good time for the start of the following term.
Another reason for not taking up free meal entitlement, may have been that your child does not enjoy school meals, or that they didn't get their desired choice of food. As you know HC3S have recently changed their menu, and details of menus, with photos can be found on their website www.myschoollunch.co.uk You may wish your child to have a meal occasionally, and of course this is fine. If you like, you may send an envelope in on a Monday stating on which days your child would like a meal, and this will be marked on our meal registers accordingly. Your child will have the opportunity to choose their meal, at the beginning of the school day. (Please see attached letter)
Criteria for entitlement to free meals has changed in recent years, particularly regarding child tax credit. You will be entitled to free meals if you are receipt of the following:
* Income Support
* Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit & where annual income does not exceed £13,910
* Income based Jobseekers Allowance
* Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
* Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
I hope the above is useful to you, and please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
Alison Pratt
Head Teacher
Dear Parents
Free School meals - The facts!
I thought I would take this opportunity to remind parents about the free school meal system that we have place in school. This may be particularly relevant as we about to introduce the new 'dot' system of choosing meals. (Please see accompanying letter)
We feel that, in recent years, there may have been a poor uptake of this entitlement, for a variety of reasons. The first reason may be that parents feel that there was a stigma attached to those children that were entitled to free school lunches. May I take this opportunity to reassure you that an application for free school meals is dealt with, in the strictest confidence. At no time will children be identified as entitled to free meals, and they will order and collect their school lunch in the same way as all other children.
Requests for application forms can be made in writing, by telephone, or you can call into the school office if you prefer. A form will then be sent to you in a sealed envelope, via your child. The completed application, along with recent evidence of entitlement, should be returned to the school office. Office staff will then check the application and evidence, and authorise the application. A letter confirming that your application has been authorised will be sent to you, via your child. Applications are made on a termly basis. A renewal letter will be sent to you towards the end of the term, and we would ask that you promptly complete and return it, in good time for the start of the following term.
Another reason for not taking up free meal entitlement, may have been that your child does not enjoy school meals, or that they didn't get their desired choice of food. As you know HC3S have recently changed their menu, and details of menus, with photos can be found on their website www.myschoollunch.co.uk You may wish your child to have a meal occasionally, and of course this is fine. If you like, you may send an envelope in on a Monday stating on which days your child would like a meal, and this will be marked on our meal registers accordingly. Your child will have the opportunity to choose their meal, at the beginning of the school day. (Please see attached letter)
Criteria for entitlement to free meals has changed in recent years, particularly regarding child tax credit. You will be entitled to free meals if you are receipt of the following:
* Income Support
* Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit & where annual income does not exceed £13,910
* Income based Jobseekers Allowance
* Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
* Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
I hope the above is useful to you, and please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
Alison Pratt
Head Teacher