Shh we wont tell anyone (school)

gratefulforhelp_2

Schools have targets set for them based (in part) on social indicators like the number on FSM. Most schools have a system now where it's not obvious which kids have FSM.

It is in the school's interests to know everyone who is eligible.

spicyprawn

Thought I would just add to this thread..... What happens to this money? They are now asking for money again this time for a school day trip. Surely £7.50 for a trip is covered by this?

JodyBPM

spicyprawn wrote: »

Thought I would just add to this thread..... What happens to this money? They are now asking for money again this time for a school day trip. Surely £7.50 for a trip is covered by this?

If you are entitled to free school meals, that covers the cost of school meals only. If you don't take up the free school meals, the school don't get to keep the money! "Funding" that people are talking about is the amount of money that a school is given to cover its running costs by the government. More is given to schools with a high percentage of children entitled to free school meals.

Money for the trip is separate. As far as I am aware, there is no entitlement to free school trips due to low income or eligibility for free school meals, although some schools or local authorities may choose to offer some help.

At our school, they clearly state on the school trip letters that if you have trouble paying to contact the school office, and they will arrange for you to spread the cost out in installments, but you don't get out of paying for them. If you are having difficulty finding the £7.50, I would talk to the school office, I am sure they will have options for you.

suki1001

Bother, I just checked under my LEA, we're not entitled, which is a pity caus they're so bloomin expensive! Still I'd rather they had a proper school meal than sarnies, and we can stretch.

jellyhead

I think it's up to the school. The PTA pays a lot towards trips here, but the details are kept confidential within the school office and the child's name would not be mentioned in PTA meetings. If you go and ask they might suggest the school fund or PTA might pay, or pay half, or they might suggest you pay £1.50 per week and spread the cost.

TeamLowe

The extra money is to help children from low income backgrounds achieve higher grades. It's called the Pupil Premium Grant and from next year will be around £600 per pupil. I'm not sure if it's just the LEA I have knowledge of but it's for children who have ever received free school meals in the last six years

The money can not be used for running costs/ be put in to a big pot with the rest as schools have to report on how they have used the money to improve the education of the children from low income families x

WantToBeFree

My chilcrens school has a social fund, whereby any child who qualifies for free school meals also never has to pay for trips, swimming, private music tuition etc. Its a fantastic scheme and many many children benefit from it. The school also 'keeps it quiet'.

spicyprawn

JodyBPM wrote: »

If you are entitled to free school meals, that covers the cost of school meals only. If you don't take up the free school meals, the school don't get to keep the money! "Funding" that people are talking about is the amount of money that a school is given to cover its running costs by the government. More is given to schools with a high percentage of children entitled to free school meals.

Money for the trip is separate. As far as I am aware, there is no entitlement to free school trips due to low income or eligibility for free school meals, although some schools or local authorities may choose to offer some help.

At our school, they clearly state on the school trip letters that if you have trouble paying to contact the school office, and they will arrange for you to spread the cost out in installments, but you don't get out of paying for them. If you are having difficulty finding the £7.50, I would talk to the school office, I am sure they will have options for you.

No problem paying, the trip is 4 months away. I just wondered what happened to the £488. Sorry I don't explain it well

SUESMITH_2

WantToBeFree wrote: »

My chilcrens school has a social fund, whereby any child who qualifies for free school meals also never has to pay for trips, swimming, private music tuition etc. Its a fantastic scheme and many many children benefit from it. The school also 'keeps it quiet'.

yes, where i work has a similar thing. all done very discreetly - i know cos i have had to use it! before i worked there when times were very tough i was despairing over the residential all kids went on when they first joined the school, a call to school and it was sorted - i was just asked to make a contribution of whatever we could afford.

i was so grateful, took a real weight off my mind.

iwilldebtfree

I read a newsletter a school had sent out today stating that for every child on free school meals the school get something like £440.00 a year for their budget.