Free School Meals
FREE SCHOOL MEALS (FSM) AND PUPIL PREMIUM (PP)
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools to help raise the attainment of pupils. It is paid to schools according to the number of pupils who have been: Registered as eligible for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years and been in care for 6 months or longer. In the financial year 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015, pupil premium funding will be:
- £1,300 for each eligible primary aged pupil
- £935 for each eligible secondary aged pupil and
- £1,900 for those in care
How is Pupil Premium used?
The funding can be used for a range of interventions including: help with costs of school trips, music fees, teaching assistant staff, after school programmes, equipment. To find out more about how this funding is used at your child’s school, please contact the school or visit the school website.
Who is eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium?
All children who are at school; and were under 19 at the start of the academic year; and are claiming or have parents who are claiming:
- Income support; or
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance; or
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (this benefit was introduced from 27 October 2008); or
- Child Tax Credit, but who are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and whose annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) does not exceed £16,190; or
- Support under part VI of the Immigration & asylum Act 1999; or
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Note: - Families in receipt of Working Tax Credit are not eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium.
- From 1 May 2009 those entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, are entitled to Free School Meals.
- The PP will only be awarded to your school if you apply for FSM, however, please note your child is not required to have the FSM if they prefer not to.
- Children at a maintained Nursery must be attending both the morning and afternoon session on the same day to qualify. For more information on which Nurseries are maintained please contact the EWB team.
When do I apply?
Please apply as soon as you become eligible under the above criteria. We will write to you to confirm entitlement has started and will continue to check your entitlement via our secure electronic checking system.
Our commitment to you
We shall process your claim within 3 working days of receiving a valid application form and advise you and your child’s school of his/her entitlement to FSM and PP.
Sending your application
Please complete and return this form in any one of the following ways:
- Post to: Education Welfare Benefits Service, Box Number CC1206, Castle Court, Shire Hall, Cambridge, CB3 0AP
- Fax to: 01223 727941
- Scan and email to: ewb.fsm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
- Return to school in a sealed envelope who will then send it to us to process