Let’s Talk Money – Free School Meals reminder

The Council’s “Let’s Talk Money” scheme is reminding eligible families of the free school meals and the clothing allowance.

The scheme is to try and ensure that children do not miss out on achieving and attaining at school as a result of financial strains within the home.

Quality Improvement Officer, Wendy Bowen, said: “We fear that some families don’t want to be seen to be in the ‘free meals’ category. However, it is an ‘entitlement’ and nobody should be embarrassed or worried about accessing it as it is an entirely confidential process and the entitlement of universal free school meals is now includes all P1-P5 pupils.”

Families may also be eligible for school meal payments during the holiday periods. The clothing grant is £150 for an eligible secondary student and £120 for an eligible primary school pupil.

The Council’s 2023/2024 applications for both allowances can be applied for via the Council website's https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/School-Meals-and-Clothing-Allowances.htm