Online school meals service
Warwickshire County Council is the first local authority in the country to offer parents an online application form for free school meals.
For the first time, busy parents can check their eligibility instantly at any time of the day by visiting the special internet site at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
If their eligibility check is successful, the free school meals administration team will process the claim electronically and contact the relevant school.
Warwickshire County Council now offers three different options for families to be able to claim free school meals. Parents can either use the new online service, a telephone application through the Customer Service Centre on 01926 742060, or on a paper application form available from schools or the county council website.
Marion Davis, Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Whichever method a family chooses, it has never been easier to apply for free school meals. This is another strand of our strategy to reduce child poverty and narrow the gaps between low and higher income families.
“The free school meals scheme ensures that the children of eligible families are able to eat a well-balanced and nutritious lunch which helps towards our overall goal to raise the levels of educational attainment across the board.”
Families who have children up to the aged 19 and in full-time education at Warwickshire maintained schools and nurseries may be entitled to claim free school meals, providing they receive a qualifying benefit.
The School Food Trust says that school meals give children a real appetite for learning and help them to achieve their full potential. School meals are the best way to make sure your child is getting all the nutrients they need to be able to learn.
Parents who do not have internet access at home can visit a Warwickshire County Council library and receive 30 minutes free internet use per day.