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Department for Education updates lockdown Free School Meals instructions

11 Jan 2021
The Government has updated the Free School Meals instruction for schools during the current lockdown.

The full instructions can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools

All pupils currently having to attend school should be provided with a meal, including vulnerable children and those having to attend because they are children of critical workers.

The Government are also "strongly" encouraging schools to work with their school catering teams to provide food parcels to eligible free school meals pupils.  This is the preferred approach to the vouchers being provided for use at local shops or supermarkets.

Schools can also claim an extra £3.50 per week, per eligible pupil, in order to be able to provide the parcel in line with the guidance that LACA have published and that meet the school food standards.  They go on to point out the other benefits of using this service including:

  • Speed of provision
  • Supporting safeguarding because of the regular contact that providing the parcel will maintain
  • Ensuring a healthy and nutritious diet
  • Reducing the food waste that caterers may have already purchased
  • The continuation of financial support to school caterers