Council Working with Schools to Provide Free School Meals

South Tyneside Council is working with schools to expand the provision of free school meals until March 2025.

All South Tyneside primary schools have been allocated a discretionary pot of funding through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The allocation of £2500 per primary school is to provide a free school meal to children of families that may be struggling financially, but do not meet the Free School Meals eligibility criteria. This funding is ring-fenced to pay for children's lunches only.

There are no specific eligibility criteria for this funding, and it is at the schools' discretion as to which families the allocated funding will support. 

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: "Free school meals was a key theme at our Child Poverty Summit in the autumn and we know that food poverty is an issue in the borough. We already use the Housing Support Fund to support families with things like food vouchers for children on free school meals during school holidays and school uniforms vouchers. This is about targeting our support at those that need it the most.

"Schools have in-depth knowledge of the challenges and know their families well so are best placed to identify where this money will have the greatest impact in their school."

Primary schools will use their discretion to determine families and the timescale of the allocation of the free meals. Schools will also be provided with 'cost-of-living' advice leaflets to enable signposting for further support.

This is a one-off pot off funding and in line with Government HSF guidance, all funding must be spent by March 2025.

Alison Burden Headteacher at Marine Park, Whitburn & Dunn Street Primary said: "We've been working closely with the Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy group who clearly respect the input, knowledge and contribution that South Tyneside schools can give on this agenda.

"With this funding allocation, families can be confident that schools are in a position to appropriately and discreetly offer support to those who may need it. Having an open conversation is key and the support will help facilitate more meaningful and trusting relationships when families may be experiencing challenging financial circumstances."

HSF funding has already had a significant impact in helping thousands of local families and those on the lowest incomes. This support has helped fund; food vouchers for children on free school meals during school holidays; school uniforms vouchers; food banks; the community food bus; welfare support team; dedicated support for care leavers; and voluntary sector support to fund vital projects targeted at particular groups.

In addition to Housing Support Fund allocations, South Tyneside Council has secured funding through the North East Combined Authority to work with 8-10 schools to help to reduce the cost of the school day for families. An audit during the spring and summer terms will help identify measures that schools can apply in their setting. This tailored approach recognises the needs within the borough and can be amended to reflect demands and challenges facing specific demographics within localised areas. This work follows on from an initial South Tyneside pilot with three schools during the autumn term and aims to raise awareness, suggest interventions and signpost families to support available.

For more information on the Council's Household Support Fund allocation and how it is being spent visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/hsf.