Financial Assistance

Free School Meals

If you currently receive one of the following  benefits you may also be eligible to receive free school meals: 

• 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 State 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit) 

• Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7400 after tax and not including any benefits you get) 

The system for applying for Free School Meals is straightforward. To apply, log on to www. hertfordshire.gov.uk and search for the Free School Meals box. Fill in your application form online or phone the customer service centre on 0300 123 4048 and the rest will be done for you. Your application will be processed within seven days.  

For any further enquiries or information about financial assistance, please phone 01923 284483 or email finance@onslow.herts.sch.uk

If you do not meet the criteria for free school meals but need some support to buy food or pay household bills, help is available. Contact HertsHelp for advice and practical support – call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net.

You can also find further information around support at Hertfordshire County Council | Help to manage the cost of living.

Other educational benefits arising from the above include assistance with: 

• Music fees 

• Uniform

• School trips

• Revision guides

In cases of financial hardship, it is sometimes possible to access assistance towards music tuition fees. 

Applications should be made direct to the school. 

A bursary must be approved before lessons can be time-tabled. 

You may be aware of the government scheme for the Pupil Premium (PP) which is additional funding given to schools for use in raising the attainment of disadvantaged children and in closing the achievement gap between them and their peers. At OSA, we use this additional funding for a variety of things such as additional support for English and Maths, clubs and trips, one-to-one support for children, as well as additional learning resources as and when required. Research shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to underachieve; however, we want to reassure you that we do everything possible to ensure this is not the case in our school.  

Your child will be eligible for PP funding if: 

• You are or have been in receipt of various benefits / universal credit

• Your child is or was eligible for free school meals at any time in the last 6 years 

• You are responsible for a looked after child 

• Your child is no longer looked after by a local authority by means of adoption 

• You are in the armed services

If this applies to you, the school is able to financially support you in preparing your child for secondary school. This may include the purchase of school uniform, lockers and equipment. Further information is available on our website.

Alternatively, if you have any questions or require any further information about financial assistance, please contact ???