Free school meals eligibility to be extended in Wandsworth
Hundreds more secondary school children in Wandsworth will be eligible for free school meals as the council announces a “major expansion” of the scheme starting from September 2025. The proposal will also provide it to all secondary school children who are eligible for the borough’s Access for All offer.
In the past, only those whose parents had an income of below £7,400 would qualify. But the council is “significantly expanding the cohort of eligible” children ahead of the school term starting this September.
The change, Wandsworth says, “will take the cost away from families and support pupils’ wellbeing and focus in the classroom by providing them with a free, nutritious meal during the school day.”
The expansion of free school meals has been welcomed by local parents. “As a parent,” one said, “this news is reassuring. Knowing our children will get a healthy meal at school means they go in calmer, and read to learn, it makes such a difference to the school day.”
Families are expected to save up to £500 per child over the year thanks to the expansion. The announcement follows the recent extension of the borough’s School Uniform Support Scheme, which now includes families eligible for the council’s Access for All programme. The scheme provides vouchers worth £45 for children starting Reception and £170 for those starting Year 7 to help with uniform costs.
“Wandsworth is committed to tackling food insecurity and promoting children’s health and wellbeing,” it said. “The council recently expanded its free breakfast club scheme from 20 to 40 primary schools in partnership with Magic Breakfast, helping thousands of children start the day with a nutritious meal. This builds on Wandsworth’s ongoing efforts to ensure no child begins their school day hungry.”
For more updates on Wandsworth, visit EyeOnLondon Wandsworth.
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