More pupils auto-enrolled for free school meals
Summary
More children in Newcastle now get free school meals because the city council made them automatically available to eligible families. This change means schools get more funding, even though the number of new enrollments isn't as high as in other areas.Key Facts
- Newcastle City Council started automatic enrollment for free school meals last December.
- An extra 153 children in Newcastle now get free school meals due to this change.
- Schools in Newcastle receive an extra £195,250 in funding each year from this increase.
- Around 40% of children in Newcastle qualify for free school meals.
- Across England, about 24.6% of children are eligible for free school meals, but 10% of those eligible do not register.
- Barriers to enrollment include paperwork, language issues, and feelings of shame.
- The council noted that for some kids, a school lunch might be their only hot meal of the day.
- Free school meals can save families as much as £450 each year.
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