How to claim Free School Meals whilst school is closed

From Monday 23rd March if your child is entitled to a Free School Meal you will be able to access this through one of the following:

  1. My child will be attending school because I am a ‘Critical Worker’ or my child is officially classed as a vulnerable child.

In this situation, Free School Meals will work as normal in school. The money will be automatically added to your child’s account.

  1. My child will NOT be attending school until schools return

They will be able to pick up a ‘Grab Bag’ from Monday to Friday from school between 12.00pm and 1.00pm. We are asking that you would like a ‘Grab Bag’ you inform the school by 9.30am each morning (you can book lunches for a week in advance or on a day by day basis). You can do this by:

    • Completing an online form by CLICKING HERE
    • Phoning the school on: 01904 411341
    • Emailing: reception@archbishopholgates.org

We will then prepare your childs food and it can be collected from the Year 10 Social Area between 12.00 and 1.00pm. We would ask that you or your child do not wander around school, but simply collect and leave.

  1. My child will NOT be attending school until schools return

You will be able to collect a £30 Morrisons voucher to cover the cost of Free School Meals until the Easter Holiday.

If you have any further questions please do contact the school by either phoning or emailing reception@archbishopholgates.org.

How to apply for Free School Meals

There is new quick and easy way to claim free school meals. Children attending a school in York can apply for free school meals if Parents or Careers are receiving certain benefits and we can assist to ensure no one is missing out.

When we process your application we will:

  • use your details to check your child’s eligibility for free school meals by checking information held by the Department for Work and Pensionsand the Department for Education; this quick online check means we can often confirm eligibility immediately
  • write to you to inform you of the outcome, if successful

Look at the benefits:

  • A free school meal for your child, which is good for their health and could help their learning.
  • Savings for you, worth over £350 a year.
  • Extra money for the school through Pupil Premium, worth at least £900 a year.

Free school meal claims

  • We treat all claims in confidence, and schools provide the same meals whether they’re paid for or provided free.
  • Your child doesn’t have to take up a meal every day – you can still provide a ‘pack up’ as and when you want to.
  • We’ll also transfer your child’s entitlement if they move to another secondary school, so you won’t need to take any further action.
  • It will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

What you need to do:

You can either:

  • Print out the original letter, complete it and return to reception. CLICK HERE for the letter.
  • Email: Reception@archbishopholgates.org the following details:

Parent/Carer Required Information.

      • Parents/Carers Full Legal Name:
      • National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Reference Number
      • Date of Birth
      • Relationship to child
      • Address inc. postcode

Student Required Information

      • Student Full Legal Name
      • Student Date of Birth
      • Gender
CLICK HERE to order your ‘Grab Bag’.