Free School Meals
All parents are advised to apply for Free School Meals for their child (in Years 7-13) if they are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- 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 are 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
- 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)
Why should I apply for Free School Meals?
Your child will have access to a varied menu of free school meals, provided through Innovate Catering. The school also receives an additional payment from the Government (as part of the Pupil Premium fund) based on our numbers of free school meal pupils.
Pupil Allowances
Each day, a pupil receives the following allowance:
- Breakfast - £1.75: This is available from 8.00am-8.20am and if not taken, can be used at break- time 10.50am - 11.15am
- Lunch - £2.45: This is available at lunchtime between 1.15-2.00pm and after school until 3.30pm
Allowances are only available at the above set times.
A pupil’s lunch allowance, if not used to the full amount, will be carried over for a maximum of 10 school days (two week period). After 10 days, the carried over balance is cleared and reset to £0.00. The carried over balance does not clear any debt on the account.
Free School Meal Menu
Free School Meal allowances can only be used on specific menu items. Any items purchased above the allowance amount will be charged to the pupil’s account.
Breakfast - £1.75 allowance
|
Food Item |
Price |
Item |
Price |
|
Slice of Toast |
35p |
Porridge |
Free |
|
Waffle with Topping |
£1.65 |
Hot Chocolate |
£1.05 |
|
Croissant |
£1.65 |
Bottled Water |
£1.10 |
|
Cooked item - One of the following:
|
80p per item. |
Radnor Carton Drink |
£1.10 |
|
Cheese on Toast |
70p |
Capri-Sun Drink |
£1.30 |
|
Fresh Fruit (per item) |
55p |
Flavoured Milk |
£1.10 |
Cost effective Breakfast Meal Deals are available. However these exceed the allowance given and additional costs will be charged to the pupil’s account.
Lunch - £2.45 allowance
The daily lunch allowance allows pupils to purchase a hot meal and dessert/bottle of water.
How do I apply for Free School Meals?
Visit the Redbridge Parent Portal where you will need to create an account or log in if previously registered. The link to login or create an account are at the top of the Parent Portal page. They will require proof of your receipt of the above benefits.
Will other students know that my child receives Free School Meals?
Payments in school are made via our biomentric system. No student will be highlighted as receiving free school meals.
Will my child have to eat a school meal if I register?
While it is recommended that your child eats a school meal, due to the nutritional value it provides, this is optional. We would ask that you register regardless of whether or not they want a meal, so we can receive this funding. School meals are provided by our catering team on-site. Meals should be ordered via the Fusion app.
What is the Pupil Premium?
Introduced in 2011, the pupil premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children.
The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to narrow the gap between them and their classmates.
When will I know and how long will the support last?
If you are eligible, Oaks Park will be notified by Redbridge. Eligible children will remain so until they complete their schooling.
