Parents claiming some benefits can claim free school meals for any of their children who are registered at a Staffordshire school and who would normally be at school at lunch time. School meals are a good way to ensure that your child eats well at lunchtime, and you can save yourself time and money.

Even if you don't want your children to have the meals, claiming them helps their school. The more eligible parents who claim meals, the more funding the school receives.

Free school meals information leaflet (397 KB)

Free School Meals for reception, year 1 and 2 children

From September 2014, if you have an infant age child (those in Reception, year 1 or year 2) they can receive free school meals even if you don't meet the entitlement criteria and without completing an application for them - for more information contact your school.

However, for every pupil registered with the council as eligible under the entitlement criteria, the school will receive additional funding called Pupil Premium which is used to help raise achievement levels. Each school will decide how to spend the funding and are required to publish details of what they have spent it on and the impact it has had. So that schools (and pupils) can continue to benefit from this extra funding it is important that parents who do meet the entitlement criteria continue to register their claim with the council.

Apply online using the link below:

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/educationalawardsbenefits/FreeSchoolMeals/Apply.aspx

School meals are priced at £2.30 per day/£11.50 per week for children in Key Stage 2, Nursery children have to pay £1.55 per day/£7.75 per week