Did you know … just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the school gets extra money?

Register now to make sure we don't miss out. The Government gives money to schools to help children from lower income families - this funding is called 'Pupil Premium Funding’.

For every child registered, school gets £1320 extra money. We intend to spend this money on additional staff to teach your children, subsidise school trips and extra-curricular activities.

Do you qualify?

You can register your child for Free School Meals if you get any of these benefits:

· 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 State Pension Credit.

· Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.

· Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

How to register

Please register as soon as possible to make sure your child does not miss out.

How does it work?

1. First, check if you qualify - it is not just if you are unemployed – see list above.

2. Registering is really quick and easy - if you think you qualify, you can register online at https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Benefit-Grants/Free-school-meals.aspx or contact the Benefits Team on 01942 828644 or speak to our admin staff at school who will help you to register.

3. If you want your child to have free, healthy meals at lunchtime that's great - they will get free meals saving you lots of money and the school gets extra money too.

4. If you don't want your child to have free school meals they can continue to bring packed lunches to school, the school still gets the extra money.

No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

If you need any help completing forms, or if you need to use our telephone or if you do not have access to the internet, please speak to Mrs Cloake or our admin staff who will be happy to assist you.

From September 2014, all children in reception year 1 and year 2 in England became eligible for Universal Infant Free School Meals as part of a government initiative.

School meals will give your child a real appetite for learning and help them achieve their full potential. They can enjoy delicious, healthy meals without the bills and the fuss of making packed lunches.

There is nothing healthier for your child and your family’s budget than free school meals.

All our meals meet nutritional standards and our professional cook prepares the meals for your child; it saves you having to worry about the effort and expense of making packed lunches every day.