School Meals
School meals now meet strict legislative standards ensuring that children are offered a third of their daily nutritional requirements. Hampshire County Council’s school meals service offers a hot, two-course meal option in primary schools where the children can choose between a meat and non-meat option. The menu changes daily over a three week rolling period, and is revised twice a year. If you prefer to provide your child with a packed lunch, the kinds of food that these should ideally contain may be found in the individual school's food policy. Some schools provide milk at break-time. Where they do, it is free for all children under five. After your child’s fifth birthday schools may continue to offer milk for a small charge, which is subsidised by the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme (in this case, the milk is provided free for over-fives who are eligible for free school meals).
Secondary schools operate a pay-as-you-go cafeteria service at lunchtimes offering a range of hot meals and lighter lunches. Some secondary schools also offer a mid-morning break service and a breakfast service.
Schools can cater for special dietary needs and if you would like any specific information about this, please contact Evelyn Cook, Food Development Officer, on 023 8062 7730.
If you receive any of the benefits below, your child will be entitled to free school meals:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit where the family’s annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) does not exceed £15,575 (subject to review) and the family does not also receive Working Tax Credit
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
Children who qualify for such a benefit in their own right are also eligible for free school lunches.
To apply for free school meals, please download the application form and take it in to your child's school with proof of the benefit that you receive.
School Uniform Grants
If your child is entitled to free school meals and you live in Hampshire (but not Portsmouth or Southampton) he/she will also be entitled to a school uniform grant on transfer to secondary school in Year 7. An application form will be available in June 2009 at your child's primary school or the allocated secondary school. Detailed information about applying for the grant is on the form.
A further grant is payable for Year 9 and Year 10. If your child attends a Hampshire secondary school, you can obtain a form direct from the school office. If you live in Hampshire (but not Portsmouth or Southampton) and your child attends a school outside of Hampshire, please contact the Admissions Team for an application form.
The value of the grant is currently £61.25. Payment is made by cheque.
Although there is no similar entitlement at primary school level, your Locality Team had a small discretionary fund which can be used to help with school clothing. For information, call your Locality Team office.
Although there is no similar entitlement at primary school level, the Education Welfare Service has a small discretionary fund which can be used to help with school clothing. For information, contact the Locality Team for your district.