Free School Meals - Eligibility and Applications

Your child might be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)  if you access:  

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed 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

• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 a year (after tax & not including any benefits you get)

To  find out if you are eligible to apply for FSM, please refer to the IOW Council website here. 

The value of a free school meal for 2023- 2024 is £2.53.  

Pupil Premium

If your child is eligible for 'free school meals' and you register them for this, we'll receive extra funding called 'pupil premium'. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school. 

What is pupil premium funding? 

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless  of their background or financial situation. It's provided for pupils who: 

• Are registered for free school meals 

• Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years Are, or have been, in care

• Have parents in the armed forces 

At Ryde Academy we receive for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals.  This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer. 

For example, we've previously used pupil premium funding for educational provision/resources and academic interventions.