Free School Meals - Wiltshire Council Statement

There have been a number of articles in the press and online regarding free school meals today. Please see below the information we have shared on this.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children, Education and skills said: "We do not want any child in Wiltshire to go hungry and we are supporting schools to ensure they are aware of all the options for providing Free School Meals available to them. 

"Free School Meal catering provision is arranged by schools and they must comply with food standards. The Government has provided guidance on what should go into Free School Meal parcels for a child's lunch for five days. School governors should be monitoring the standard of Free School Meal parcels provided by their school.

"If parents have concerns about the Free School Meal parcels provided, they should contact their child's school."

During the Covid-19 lockdown period, schools will continue to be fully funded as normal for their Free School Meal pupils. 

Schools  make provision for their eligible pupils whether they are attending school or not.  The current national funding rate of £450 for each eligible pupil, per year, enables schools to put in place meal arrangements at a cost of up to £2.30 per day.

Funding is paid monthly to schools as part of their overall budget share and is guaranteed each funding year to the school.  Local authority maintained schools receive their funding directly from the local authority and academy schools directly from the DfE.   

Link to further information on this is on the government website (opens new window).