It has never been easier to apply for free school meals. Visit the Cambridge County Council website at Free school meals – Cambridgeshire County Council for clear guidance on how to apply online and to complete your online application. The application form is downloadable below and easy to complete. However, we can help you with this at school if you would like further assistance.
Pupils who receive free school meals have £2.95 placed on their Cashless Catering accounts at the start of every school day. This can be spent at break or lunchtime in the Shack, Food Court or PAC depending on the year group. The pupil cannot be identified as receiving free school meals when they spend their money, so the process is completely private. Our Free School Meal students are also able to get a FREE breakfast before school if they arrive early.
When you register your children for Free School Meals, the school will receive a sum of money from the government for each child. This is called the Pupil Premium. The Pupil Premium currently stands at £1,075 per child per year.
Please contact Mrs Bennett at school, in confidence, on 01480 375700 Ext: 5220 or [email protected] with any queries regarding Free School Meals or to discuss the Pupil Premium.
Pupil Premium +
Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) funding is allocated to Children in Care (CIC) through the termly PEP system. Schools identify areas where funding for additional resources, training or tutoring may help close the attainment gap for Children in Care and are awarded full/part funding to resource approved interventions. If there is no additional funding need identified then schools do not receive funding, but where schools identify needs above the termly allowance, this can sometimes be accommodated.
Children in Care (CIC) from outside Cambridgeshire receive slightly different financial packages depending on which Local Authority they are in care from. This funding is used by the school to raise the attainment and accelerate progress of CIC in school. It is a vital resource to help close the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
Each CIC has a Personal Education Plan (PEP). Each term a review takes place of the PEP attended by the child, carers, plus school and social care staff. Progress is reviewed and PP+ funding is requested to provide additional interventions to narrow any gaps in learning, to facilitate progress and to support any personal or emotional needs in school.
We have a lead Designated Teacher for CIC (Mr Heath) and a Delegated Designated Teacher (Mrs Setchfield) who supports the PEP process and identifies interventions and support for CIC students’ welfare and pastoral needs. We also have a specialist teacher from the LA to assist and advise on CIC (Melissa Horn).
Due to the sensitivity around the details of the small number of CIC in Hinchingbrooke School we are not able to publicise specific details of PP+ funding and its impact for these children as it is individual to each child.
In general PP+ funding for CIC is used to:
- Provide one to one tuition
- Provide additional resources
- Provide bespoke support for emotional needs
- Contribute towards the cost of extracurricular activities and events
- Staff training