Education and Child Matters

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School Meals & Packed Lunches

 

WHAT ARE SCHOOL MEALS?

School meals are meals provided by a school to pupils and sometimes teachers at the start of the day (breakfast) and in the middle of the day (lunch).

UNDER WHAT LAW DOES YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY CHARGE FOR SCHOOL MEALS?

Under section 512ZA of the education act 1996, the law says that your local education authority can charge for school meals. They are required to charge the same price to every pupil no matter what the background of the pupil.

LINK TO SECTION 512ZA OF THE EDUCATION ACT 1996

WHAT ARE FREE SCHOOL MEALS?

Free school meals are given to certain pupils at no cost as long as their family is eligible.

WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT ENTITLED TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS?

Any child enrolled in an independent (private) school is not entitled to a free school meal.

Under section 512ZB of the education act 1996, the law says that if your child is in reception and years 1 & 2 in a state maintained, an academy and free school they will receive free school meals.

LINK TO SECTION 512ZB OF THE EDUCATION ACT 1996 

If your child is in years 3 – 12 they are only entitled to free school meals if you receive any of the following state benefits:

  1. Universal credit
  2. Working tax credit run on.
  3. Income support.
  4. Income based jobseekers allowance
  5. Income related employment and support allowance.
  6. The guaranteed element of pension credit.
  7. Support under part 6 of the immigration and asylum act 1999.
  8. Child tax credit

If you move, your child changes schools, and you no longer receive one of the above benefits you must inform your local authority or the school.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO APPLY FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT HOT SCHOOL MEALS?

The law makes no comment on whether school meals should be hot or not. The department of education has made a recommendation that schools should offer hot meals so that a child who is not receiving a hot meal at home can at least get one at school.

DOES A SCHOOL HAVE TO PROVIDE AN AREA FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE A SCHOOL MEAL?

Government guidance says that schools should provide a lunch room, tables, chairs, and an adult to supervise the children eating their breakfast or lunch. 

WHAT IF A CHILD WHO IS ENTITLED TO A FREE SCHOOL MEAL IS RECEIVING EDUCATION AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL?

During this period the catering company and the school lunch team who provide the school meals should provide a lunch parcel for your child.

This lunch parcel can be picked up from the school.

WHAT DOES UK LAW SAY ABOUT SCHOOL PACKED LUNCHES?

The law makes no comment on school packed lunches. There is also no government guidance either. 

Individual schools and colleges themselves have to decide on what their guidance and  recommendations are for packed lunches. Your child’s school will have a written policy about school packed lunches. It should be on their website. If it is not then you can ask them to email or send you a hard copy about their lunch/food/packed lunch policy.