Agenda item

Update on Free Healthy School Meals

7.1  Colin Gale, Free Healthy School Meal Lead presented the report and the chair invited questions.

7.2  A member asked how many parents were not claiming free school meals, given this could impact on both council income and schools receiving public premium Kerry Crichlow reported that there has been a government initiative to simplify the process and there is now yes now one application with no need for this to be renewed annually, which this will reduce the paperwork.  Colin Gales added that he is working with schools to increase uptake and that nationally around 10% are not claiming .The chair requested more information on how Southwark is working with schools to maximise take-up.

7.3  A member referred to a report focused on plugging the gap between rich and poor pupils and the recent announcement by OFSTED that schools will now be judged on how they narrow he gap.

RESOLVED

Officers will provide information on the application process for Free Healthy School Meals

Data will be requested from schools on:

• registration rates for free school meals & the Pupil Premium
• details on how the Pupil Premium has been spent