If you have any queries in relation to free school meals entitlement, please contact the Education Welfare Benefits Team on ewb.fsm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone them on 01223 703200.

As you may be aware, the government introduced universal free school meals for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children in schools.  At Norwood, we have provision for a hot meal or ‘High Five’ lighter lunch option.  Please see menus under the News & Events tab above.

The government initiative of Pupil Premium is still very much an important focus for schools.  Each child entitled to Pupil Premium triggers additional funding of up to £1480 for schools to target additional support and enhance provision.  

A child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if their parents receive any of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided the parents 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, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax credit
• Universal Credit – for those applying on or after 1 April 2018, their household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits they get). See the section below for protections in place for those affected by the introduction of this income threshold 

Children may also get FSM if they receive any of these benefits directly, instead of through a parent.

This is explained on the GOV.UK website. 

Contribution-based benefits

Contribution-based JSA or ESA are not eligibility criteria for FSM in their own right. 

However, claiming contribution-based benefits doesn't prevent someone from being eligible for FSM on the basis of receiving 1 of the other benefits listed above.

If someone receives even 1p of income-based JSA or income-related ESA, they're eligible for FSM. That means, for example, someone receiving equal amounts of income-based and contribution-based JSA or ESA is still eligible for FSM.

In addition to your child receiving a free hot lunch each day, the school will receive Pupil Premium which will enable the school to offer reductions on school trips and other chargeable items and reduction on school clubs.

Please do contact Miss Fletcher in the school office if you require further support with any application or have any queries regarding free school meals.