Any families with children who are entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) need to be aware that the FSM vouchers are no longer being issued by the school. Parents who have provided the school with an email address will now be receiving vouchers by email directly from the government at the value of £15, per child, per week. Unfortunately, we have been advised there is a delay in sending these vouchers out. As this is a Government run initiative, the school has no control over the timings.
We will keep parents updated as soon as we receive any information from Edenred – the company who are sending out the vouchers. In the meantime, please keep checking your emails because we are aware that there are some parents who have started to receive them.
When you do receive the vouchers, they can be used in a number of different stores directly from the device you receive your email on and do not need to be printed. Unfortunately, the school is now no longer able to print the vouchers off for collection at the office. If you have any questions which cannot be answered by the link below, then please give us a call.
https://www.edenred.co.uk/reward-recipients/Free-School-Meal-Vouchers/
In addition, there has been some confusion as to who may be entitled to receive these vouchers.
Although all children in Reception and Years 1 and 2, currently receive FSMs, this does not necessarily entitle families to receive FSM funding. All children in these year groups receive a free lunch every day as part of the governments Universal Infants Free School Meal scheme (UIFSM) which provides every infant pupil with a free lunch, regardless of their background or family's financial standing. FSM funding is given only to those parents whose incomes have been assessed by the Local Authority with only the children from the lowest earning families receiving the additional FSM funding.
Therefore, only families who have successfully applied to receive FSM funding because of their low incomes, will receive the FSM vouchers. If you feel you may be entitled to FSM funding, you can apply online at https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals
We will always be available to support our families in need.
Mr J Manclark
Headteacher