If you receive certain benefits (listed below) you can register for Free School Meals (FSM). This applies to pupils in EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

• 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)

• 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're 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

You can apply for free school meals on the Kent County Council website, by clicking here.

If your application is successful the school will receive some additional money called Pupil Premium funding to help support your child through school. In the infants (EYFS & KS1) pupils receive a free meal under the Universal Free School Meals scheme (UFSM) however, you will still need to apply for the FSM scheme in order to qualify for the Pupil Premium funding.

Please refer to the Pupil Premium page on our website for more information.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you require any support with completing the online application.

Our Pupil Premium Promise

As a school, if your child is eligible for Pupil Premium we offer to fund the following:

• Free school meals in Key Stage 2
• School uniform – one set of compulsory items per school year,
• PE kit – one set of compulsory items per school year,
• Milk,
• School swimming lessons (when available),
• One weekly after school club/extra-curricular club in school,
• School trips, including Year 3 Carroty Wood and Year 6 residential trip.

If you have already registered your child for free school meals and would like to take advantage of this please contact Jane Woolcott or Angie Pierce in the office.

Kent also run the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

The HAF Programme offers families of children aged 4 to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, opportunities to access a range of free activities in the Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays.  Each programme will provide a range of exciting activities, games and new experiences for children, along with a healthy main meal.

Penny Wardell

Assistant Headteacher & SENCO