Free school meals

Food for thought

There are around 5,000 young people in Suffolk who are eligible for a free school meal but are not currently claiming one. If they all claimed the meal they are entitled to Suffolk Schools would be £5 million better off.

More than 12,000 children in Suffolk already receive a free school meal. This saves their families around £400 a year and gives £900 per child of additional funding to their school.

Is your child eligible?

Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit but no element of Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
• If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work less hours per week
• Universal Credit

To check if your child is eligible call 01473 260989.

Students in our sixth form can apply directly to the Academy.

Got a question about free school meals? Take a look at Suffolk County Council’s FAQ page.

How to Apply

You can apply to Suffolk County Council online here.

Once Suffolk County Council have confirmed if your child is eligible, they will write to you and us; if they cannot confirm your eligibility they will contact you for qualifying documentation.