Dear Parent/Carer,

During this difficult time, we would like to remind you of additional support that is available to you, should you meet the criteria outlined below.

For every pupil registered with the council as eligible under the entitlement criteria below, the school will receive additional funding in the school budget called Pupil Premium (£1,320 per child) which is used to help raise achievement levels. This also includes enabling access to facilities, clubs, and subsidising trips and residentials. If you do not claim for Free School Meals, then the Pupil Premium funding will not be available for your child (e.g. subsidising the above).

 Free school meals are available to children of families who are in receipt of:

• Income Support
• Jobseekers Allowance (income based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income based)
• Guarantee Credit (the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit) 
• Universal Credit (UC)
  • From 1 April 2018, UC claims will only be eligible for free school meals if the total net earned income is under £7,400 per year OR if the child was eligible for a free school meal on 01/04/18 
  • Where the child was eligible for a free school meal on 01 April 2018, they will remain entitled to a free school meal  regardless of any change in parental income until they finish the phase of education they are in (primary or secondary) as at 31 March 2022
  • Any child who becomes eligible for a free school meal between 01 April 2018 and 31 March 2022 will remain entitled to a free school meal  regardless of any change in parental income until they finish the phase of education they are in (primary or secondary) as at 31 March 2022
• Support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have a total annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190

Parents receiving Working Tax Credit for four weeks after their employment finishes are entitled to free school meals during that period.  This also applies to parents who start working less than 16 hours per week (please seek advice about this from the Benefits Agency)

If you have any queries about any of the above, please email info@parkgate.coventry.sch.uk