Financial Assistance/Free School Meals

It is our policy that all students should have full and free access to a broad and balanced curriculum, which ensures equality of opportunity to all students.  If Parents/Carers have difficulty in paying for an activity, and are in receipt of Free School Meals, they should write in confidence to the Headteacher providing original (i.e. not photocopy) evidence, which will be returned as soon as possible. Support may be available via the Jenny Walker Fund, however with larger expenses this will usually be a percentage of the total cost rather than the full amount.

More information can be found in our Charging & Remissions Policy on our Policies page. Financial assistance is also available via the Settle Educational Foundation.

Free School Meals

All children from households in receipt of Universal Credit (regardless of household income) are eligible for free school meals. Although eligibility will be granted to all Universal Credit recipients, families do still need to apply to receive the meals. Families in receipt of other benefits may be eligible - for more information, FAQs and a link to apply see North Yorkshire Free School Meals.

Those in receipt of "targeted" free school meals are also entitled to remission charges for board and lodgings on residential trips. 

Students who qualify, but whose families do not take up this opportunity are also missing out on extra educational support provided by the government to help school support students to achieve their best.  The Pupil Premium for Targeted FSM students is only paid to school if the student's parent actually claims for free school meals.

Some parents feel uncomfortable claiming for free school meals, worrying that their child will be identifiable, but thanks to our cashless catering system this is not the case. No cash changes hands - food is paid for by debiting the student’s pre-loaded ParentPay account. For eligible students, the FSM allowance (currently £3.75 per day) is loaded onto the student's account each morning, so they pay in exactly the same way.  In this way, free school meal entitlement really is anonymous, and we would encourage every parent who is entitled to apply.

Please note that FSM allowance resets daily and does not accrue (if the £3.75 is not fully spent, the remaining money will not carry over). Also, since students choose their own food they may spend more than £3.75 - parents will be responsible for any overspend, so please ensure your child knows how much you permit them to spend. Parents can top up ParentPay accounts in the normal way if they want their child to have a buffer, and this in no way affects ongoing eligibility.

For more information and the link to apply online, visit North Yorkshire Council Free School Meals. There is no need to discuss the matter with anyone at school; we will receive automatic notification from NYC should your application be successful.

Pupil Premium

Students who are adopted or who have a parent in the armed forces are also eligible for extra support at school, which the government fund to help them achieve their best.  The Pupil Premium helps schools to support the unique challenges these students can often face, however it is only paid to school if the student’s parents declare their child’s status (ie adopted or service) to the Headteacher.