Registering for Free School Meals can raise an extra £1,320 for your child’s primary school and an extra £935 for your child’s secondary school, paid by the government, which the Council can use to fund additional teaching staff, extra tuition and after school activities.

Free School Meals (Pupil Premium)

Children in reception, year 1 and year 2

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state funded schools in England are eligible for Free School Meals.

By registering for Free School meals for any child in reception, year 1 and year 2 you can ensure your child’s school receives the additional funding for the pupil premium.

Children in year 3 and above (other year groups)

Children in key stages 3 and 4 in state schools may be eligible for Free school Meals if their parents or carers are in receipt of the following benefits:

• 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)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (earnings after tax and not including any benefits you get)

You may also qualify for free school meals for your child if:

• you are an asylum seeker
• you live outside Barking and Dagenham but meet the previous criteria and your child is attending a school in the borough
• your only or main income is one of the benefits listed

All live claims for Free School Meals will automatically be carried over and awarded for your child from 1st September 2018. This also includes any child moving from infants to junior or junior to secondary schools.

Apply for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium)  

Make a claim for Free School Meals

Free holiday activities

The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme is free to children and young people who live or go to school in Barking and Dagenham and are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, with paid places available for everyone.