Pen Mill Infant and Nursery Academy

What is the difference between FSM and UIFSM?

Free School Meals (FSM)

Free School Meals (FSM) have been in place for many years following the 1944 Education Act and are available to all school aged children if you receive ANY of the following:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
• 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 guarantee 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Forms are available from the school office or alternatively you can apply online at:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-and-families/free-school-meals/

Claiming should be straightforward. Each child needs to be registered; younger siblings are not automatically added. All you will need to hand is yours and your child’s date of birth and your NI Number. However, we realise that some parents/carers may need some support. Please do not hesitate to ask to speak to any member of our office team.

Information regarding those who are eligible for FSM is kept strictly confidential at Pen Mill. All children and families are treated in exactly the same way; there is no difference in the meal provided for your child.

 Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM)

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM); a government funded scheme. This offer does not depend on your household income or whether you receive any benefits – every child in these year groups is eligible to take up the offer.

PLEASE NOTE

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they will receive a UIFSM. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria for FSM (shown above), it is extremely important that you claim for this. The meal your child receives will be no different.

Schools now receive funding from the government for every child that is or has been registered for Free School Meals (FSM) at any time in the last six years. This additional funding is called Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) and is used to support children’s learning. PPG is paid to schools in accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 2002 and should be used to:

• Raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap with their peers

For further information on how we use the Pupil Premium Grant at Pen Mill please look at the Pupil Premium Section on our website.