School Lunches
Children may bring in packed lunches from home, the school office must be made aware so that we can ensure dinner numbers are correct. We urge that packed lunches are healthy and recommend that they are kept in the lunch box, clearly marked with your child’s name. We do not allow glass, cans, fizzy drinks, milkshakes, biscuits, sweets or chocolates with lunches.
We are a NUT FREE SCHOOL as there are several children and staff with severe nut allergies, nuts or nut products, including peanut butter could cause a dangerous and deadly Anaphylactic reaction.
Free School Meals
You may be entitled to receive free school meals. If you are, your child will be given a free school meal card.
Who is eligible?
Free school meals are available to some secondary school pupils. Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income–based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit if your taxable income is less than £16,190 and you don’t receive Working Tax Credit
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- support under Section VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
Children who get paid these benefits directly, and not through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
How to apply
You must apply for this service using the citizens portal:
The importance of free school meals
Applying for free school meals is very important because the amount of money that The New North Academy receives from central government depends on the number of children registered as entitled to free school meals. For every registered child, the school receives additional funding to spend on extra resources such as extracurricular activities and support for its pupils. This is called the ‘Pupil Premium’.
The government has also stated that it is keen for universities to actively recruit pupils that have previously received free school meals so it is important that those eligible for free school meals do register for them.
Further information
For further information please visit the Islington Council website or contact the Free School Meals team freeschoolmeal@islington.gov.uk