Did you know that claiming free school meals really helps the school?
The government gives schools extra funding for children in families where it is hard to make ends meet. This money is called the Pupil Premium. The amount of money we get is based on the number of children having free school meals. Many of the pupils at Dartington get free school meals, so your child won’t be alone.

If you get any of the following support payments your child/ren may be entitled to free school meals:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
• Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also allowed to receive free school meals.
• Pupil Premium funding is also given to schools to support looked-after children who have been looked after for one day or more, and for children who were adopted from care on or after 30 December 2005 and left care under either a Special Guardianship Order on or after 30 December 2005 or a Residence Order on or after 14 October 1991.

Children under five who are in full time education may also be entitled to receive free school meals.
Do you think your child is entitled to free school meals? There is a short form to apply or you can click on the link below to apply on the Citizens Portal . We can answer your questions at the school office, and help you fill in the form. It really will be a help to school, as well as to your pocket!

Citizen Portal – Sign in (devon.gov.uk)

Please remember that all information that is passed to school is held in the strictest confidence, and any information regarding the eligibility of your child to Pupil Premium funding will be of huge benefit to our school.

To learn more about our Pupil Premium income, how it was used and the difference it has made please read the reports below:

• Trust Pupil Premium and Recovery statement with REVIEW 2021-24