Caterlink… your new catering provider at Felixstowe School

Caterlink are specialist caterers within schools. We’re passionate about fresh, healthy food that taste great. The right nutrients can affect everyone’s mood, behaviour, health, growth and even their ability to concentrate. Encouraging a well-balanced diet establishes healthy eating now and for the future. We pride ourselves in our exciting fresh fruit range.

Find out more via Caterlink’s website.

Free School Meals

Dear Parents/Guardians, rhe eligibility criteria for free school meals have been changed. The following explains the changes and how they might affect you.

What are the new eligibility criteria?

Children are entitled to receive free school meals if they or their parents or guardians receive any of the benefits below.

• Universal Credit, provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

I don’t currently claim free school meals – what does this mean for me?

If you think you might be eligible for free school meals, submit a claim to your school or local authority. Your school should have a form you can use. The information you provide will be used to check if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and, if you are on Universal Credit, that your earnings do not exceed the threshold. If you claim Universal Credit, your earnings will be assessed from up to three of your last Universal Credit assessment periods. If you are eligible, your school will be notified. Your child will receive free school meals and the school will receive extra funding.

I am currently claiming free school meals – what does this mean for me?

Most people won’t be affected by the new criteria. If you’re currently claiming free school meals, but don’t’ meet the new criteria, your child will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the Universal Credit rollout period. This will apply even if your earnings rise above the new threshold or if you stop being entitled to Universal Credit. The rollout period is currently scheduled to end in March 2022.

Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meal until the end of their current phase of education, i.e. primary or secondary. For more information and to apply please visit the Suffolk County Council website. You will need to sign and return the completed application form along with proof of your current benefit(s) to your local area Education Office, School or Customer Service Centre who will arrange for this to be processed as quickly as possible. If your application is successful we will authorise the school to provide your child with meals free of charge. We will not send you a cheque or any other form of payment.

Click here to apply for free school meals, Via Suffolk County Council website.