Shh we wont tell anyone (school)

sassyblue

I just love these forum assumptions that single parents or people on benefits all CHOSE to be in their situations.

anguk

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

Most schools now opperate a cash-less (at least in the dinner line) system so no one needs know you're entitled to FSM. Neither do you have to take up the offer of FSM. However if you let the school know you're entitled to FSM the school gets more money.

My DD's school had a cashless dinner hall, all the kids paid for their lunches with a special card. The kids who paid for meals would top their cards up, the kids who got free school meals would automatically get their cards topped up each day with a set amount. All the cards looked exactly the same so nobody knew who had free school meals.

I remember as a child getting free school meals as my dad was a policeman (they weren't paid much back then) and we had a special colour dinner ticket and we had to go in a separate line in the dinner hall.

MancLass wrote: »

Reading all the arguements with the parents whos kids are enttiled to free school meals, "Who can't afford to pay for school trips" or its "Hard in a large family"

If you can't afford kids why have them. Most clinics give free condoms so theres no excuse!

When I had my two children we could afford them, however we were unable to see in the future that my husband would become ill and disabled and unable to work or that I would become his carer. You have to be very careful sitting on that high moralistic pedestal because you never know what's round the corner.

WhiteHorse

1more? wrote: »

really dont see whats underhanded or sleazy about claiming funds that the goverment have made available for every child on fsm

The school wasn't interested until it dawned on them that they could expand their income.

daska

sassyblue wrote: »

What the hell is the matter with you? Point me to where l've said l want to know how much money people are on or !!!!!! as the troublemaker you are. You bought that up so work it out....

?

I'm not the one "sighing" because the schools don't publicise the details of those entitled to FSM.

Please explain what possible, justifiable reason you could have for wanting that information to be public knowledge? Numbers of claimants yes, that I can understand. School and Local Authority audited accounts, yes. But an individual's entitlement to FSM?

FSM is a clear indication of a low income, you have be in receipt of CTC and have an income below a set figure. Publishing that information immediately identifies those on a low income, often on benefits for whatever reason (including illness and disability). That is the only 'useful' bit of information you get about a family as a result of knowing that they are entitled to FSM.

Exactly what would you do with that information?

mico62

haven't read all the responses so apologies if someone's already mentioned this.

From september pupil premium will be paid for any pupils who have been eligible for FSM in the previous 6 years even if it was only for a few weeks. Schools will be free to spend the money whichever way they want for the benefit of the whole school but they must report how they have spent it.

The school I work in currently uses PP to pay for bus passes for pupils whose parents cannot afford the fare every day so some days their kids don't attend. These are not the persistent truanters (and we've got a few from nice middle class backgrounds) but some parents, for a variety of reasons, have to make a choice between food and electricity and bus fare. Another pupil is a carer for his disabled mother and younger sister and would be late if he walked after his sister has been picked up by her school bus. We help out with school uniforms as well as many other things to try and make life a little more bearable for those not as fortunate as others in our school community.

Those knocking the system should really blame the government for its constant meddling and reduction of school budgets.