Free School Meal Vouchers.
I hope you are all safe and well.
Originally the Government were not going to provide Free School Meal vouchers and Schools were instructed to provide food parcels for families which we did. However the Government have now launched the voucher system again and we can now issue these as we did during the last lockdown. The Cook has ordered enough food to provide our families with food parcels for this week and next so we will continue to provide you with them as planned so that the food is not wasted.
From the week beginning 1st February you will receive a food voucher direct to your email address which I know is much more convenient for you all. You will receive £15 per child, per week. I plan to order vouchers for two weeks meaning you will receive a £30 voucher per child covering the weeks beginning 1st February and 8th February. The Government have said that we are not to issue vouchers for the half term holiday and all children are expected to return to School on 22.02.21 so this will be the only voucher you receive. Rest assured if this changes then I will be in touch.
I urgently need you to provide me with your email address to ensure your vouchers are received on 1st February; last time there was a huge delay so I want to order these as early as I can. Please send an email to: grindon.infant@schools.sunderland.gov.uk from the email address that you would like us to use. In the email please state your full name and your child’s full name, this ensures we have your accurate email address, even one letter wrong would mean you would not receive your voucher. Please do this no later than Friday 22nd January as that is when I will be placing the order for you to receive on 1st February.
Edenred, the company working on behalf of the Government to issue the voucher codes to you, have provided guidance here:
https://www.edenred.co.uk/reward-recipients/Free-School-Meal-Vouchers
If you have not received any correspondence from us at all regarding these vouchers then that is because you are not on our free school meal list. When your child started school you were asked to complete a form to check your eligibility. Some of you may not be eligible however some of you may not have completed the form. If you think you may be eligible then you need to complete the online form on the Together for Children website. School cannot complete this form on your behalf, you must complete it and then they send us notification to say that you are eligible. Once I receive that then I will be able to process your £15 weekly vouchers.
All infant age children receive a free school meal (universal free school meals) however this voucher scheme is only for parents who are in receipt of benefits. If you are unsure if you are eligible then more information can be found at
https://www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/families/free-school-meals or alternatively you can ring one of the team on 0191 561 1417.
Take care, stay safe and keep positive.
Mrs Charlton.
