The cost of a school meal is £2.50 per day, £12.50 per week and payment can be made via the ‘School Money’ system.
If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.
What is pupil premium funding?
Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:
- Are registered for free school meals
- Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
- Are, or have been, in care
- Have parents in the armed forces
At St John’s School we get an extra £1,320 for primary pupils and £935 for secondary pupils – for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- 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, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Does my child have to eat the free school meals?
No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.
How do I register?
You need your child’s name, address and your national insurance number. Then go to your local education authority website and fill in the application form. IF YOU NEED HELP FILLING IN THE FORM WE CAN HELP – PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
More information
For more information about pupil premium go to our website, which contains details of how the pupil premium has been spent in the past academic year and how it will be spent this year.
Please apply NOW as St John’s needs to tell the Department for Education to get the extra funding. You can email the school if you prefer.
Email : Jackie.peacock@stjohns.org.uk or mandy.dowson@stjohns.org.uk
Lunch Menus April 2026