School meals can give your child a real appetite for learning and help them to achieve their full potential. Meals are freshly prepared in our own kitchens everyday saving you the time and money.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
• 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• 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 guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Please note the requirements can apply to either parent, including separated parents that don’t live full time with the child.
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Whilst Universal Credit is rolled out once you are registered for free school meals it’s guaranteed for your child’s time at the school even if your circumstances change.
How do I apply?
It is simple to apply and you can do so online via the Devon County Council website - Citizen Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Devon Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.
If your application is successful please send us the eligibility confirmation reference number so we can ensure your child starts receiving free meals straightaway.
We run a cashless system at school so no other students can tell if your child receives free school meals, they just use their ‘pick and pay’ card like everyone else to purchase a meal.
It’s not just about free meals.
Students who are registered for free school meals can also get:
• Stationery and other learning materials from our school library for free.
• An allowance of up to £25 per year to support the purchase of uniform or for out of hours transport to attend school activities.
• An allowance of up to £100 per year towards school enrichment activities.
Please scan the QR code or click here for an online application form
Alternatively you can download and print a copy from this link: application for support form.
It also helps the school’s funding.
The government provides additional education funding to schools, called Pupil Premium, based mainly on the number of students who receive free school meals.
The funding schools in Devon receive is amongst the lowest in the country so the Pupil Premium is really important to help us support students.
Registering for free school meals, even if your child prefers to take a packed lunch, means that you help protect this vital additional funding for the school.
Need some help with your application? We can guide parents through the process, please contact us.
Western Road, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3LU Tel: 01363 773401
Queen Elizabeth’s School is now part of the Ted Wragg Trust. Tillhouse Road, Cranbrook, Exeter, EX5 7EE
Registered Company No. 08545109 (England & Wales)