Free school meals save £100s
Clare Doble recently separated from her children’s father and is now adjusting to life on a tighter budget. Every saving helps and Clare’s keen to make sure whatever she does manage to put away is spent on her girls, Caitlyn (eight), Lucia (seven) and Sofia (five).
When Clare heard from a colleague at work about the free school meals scheme she was keen to find out if she was eligible. But having recently left Rutland to move back to Rainworth in Nottinghamshire, Clare had a lot on her plate and it slipped her mind.
It was only when she found information in one of the girl’s new school welcome packs that Clare remembered about the scheme.
“It was easy to sign up,” explains Clare. “You’re told right there and then if you’re eligible. It was straightforward and didn’t take much time. You receive a unique code for your child and they can start to get the free meals within a few days”.
To qualify for free school meals your child needs to attend a Nottinghamshire County Council school or a maintained nursery* and you need to be in receipt of certain benefits.
Clare’s oldest daughter, Caitlyn aged eight, receives free school meals on this scheme. Her other children receive the universal infant school meals, which are available to all children in reception, year one and year two to enjoy.
The money Clare saves each month on lunches for the girls is about £50-60, this is a significant sum and means Clare has what she needs to spend on other essentials for the children. “If the free meals weren’t available but the children wanted a hot meal at school, I would pay for them. Something else would need to be sacrificed, but I would pay,” says Clare. “But this way I have more to spend on new shoes, clothes or after school care for the girls. “The free meals are good for families in a similar situation to me,” Clare continues, “as they can really help make your money go further, and give you confidence that your children have had something substantial and nutritious to eat. Plus my girls really enjoy the meals, particularly roast dinners and fi shy Fridays!”
Clare truly values this scheme and urges other parents to apply: “It will not only benefit your children, but it will benefit you too,” she says. It’s also important for the school that all eligible parents apply for free school meals, as it enables them to access pupil premium funding, which can be used for resources in your child’s school.
If you would like to see if you are eligible for free school meals, or find out how you can apply, visit the free school meals page on our website.
