Free School Meals
The opening of AH Cafe in September of this year has enabled us to introduce changes and we have gone to great lengths to improve the meals we offer and to remove any stigma associated with free school meals. Our new cashless catering system ensures your child can use their entitlement without other students knowing that they are taking free school meals.
AH Cafe offers a healthy, varied and exciting menu. Students are currently allocated an allowance of 1.70 per day to spend at our break or lunchtime services. This allowance would enable them to purchase our meal deal consisting of a hot meal and dessert at lunchtime, or choose from a selection of paninis, sandwiches or other snacks at either service. You will also be able to make full use of the additional benefits that we receive through our association with ParentPay, as you would have the facility to view your childs meal choices and make an additional contribution to their daily spend limit, if required.
Parents/Guardians receiving the following benefits are eligible to apply for free school meals:
- income support or income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Child Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of less than 16,190
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
You are not eligible if you receive any amount of Working Tax Credit.
The application process is quick and straight forward and is completed online at
https://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Pupil-Parent-Support/Pages/Free-school-meals.aspx
A paper copy of the application form is available from the College office if you prefer to post your application. Once you have submitted your details, entitlement to Free School Meals will be checked by using your National Insurance or National Asylum Seekers number and date of birth information. Once awarded, applications will only have to be renewed at the end of each academic year.
We strongly urge you to apply for any entitlement if you have not already done so. As well as your child gaining an entitlement to free school meals, the College would also benefit from the additional funding this attracts, helping to minimise the effects of the current funding pressures.
If you require any further information or do not have access to a computer, please do not hesitate to contact the College office on 01376 321813 and we can give you details of the online Open Access sessions at the recently opened Alec Hunter Learning Village.
