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Free School Meals and Milk

Click here for details on how to claim free school meals and help Crossdale School secure extra funding.


From September 2014 there is a statutory requirement for state-funded schools in England to provide free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2.


All children attending state-funded schools are eligible to receive a free school meal if their parent receives one of the following benefits:

· Income Support

· Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

· Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)

· Guarantee element of Pension Credit

· Support under section 95 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999

· Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of £7,400 or below

(You must provide proof of your entitlement to one of the listed benefits along with a completed application form.)

Additional funding for your child’s school

It is important that all parents who receive one of the benefits listed above register for free school meals as this will enable your child’s school to claim pupil premium allocation. The pupil premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise attainment. This additional funding for schools can help to buy new equipment and resources.

Currently, primary schools receive approximately £1,320 for each eligible pupil.

School Milk

Since September 2014 all maintained schools must offer children a drink of milk during the school day. This does not have to be free of charge, but the eligibility criteria for free milk entitlement is exactly the same as for free school meals

Free milk scheme

Free milk is available for:

  • children under the age of five in school or daycare
  • children receiving free school meals.

Click here to register for FREE and subsidised school milk!