Free School Meals

Academic year 2024-2025

As we are based within the London metropolitan area, all our pupils from Reception to Year 6 are provided with universal free school meals for the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. This is an initiative of the Mayor of London.

 Eligibility outside the scheme

Normally, outside the timings of the initiative above, you can register your child for free school meals if you receive any of these benefits:

• 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
• 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 - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly (instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals. Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits, and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school

• in full-time education.

Check your eligibility if you believe that your child(ren) are eligible for free school meals.

To apply for free school meals

If you need and advice with the application process, please contact our School Operations Manager Nidhi Khurana n.khurana@deerparkschool.org.uk