Financial Support
The recent economic climate is likely to have impacted everyone in one way or another. As a school, we are conscious of this and constantly reviewing all activities and expectations where there is a cost to parents (Uniform, trips etc). Alongside this, we have also recently undertaken a review of our existing support mechanisms that are in place to support parents with these costs. This has been necessary as a result of recent Government changes to Free School Meal Eligibility.
In the letter below, we outline some key changes that we are making as a result of the changes in order to continue to support parents as far as we can. These changes have already been agreed and are in place as of 1st September 2026 (the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year).
At Ashwell School we remain committed to providing ALL children with an extensive range of opportunities through both Curriculum Enrichment and Extra-Curricular activities.
Accessing further information
Parents are more than welcome to contact the school if they would like to talk in confidence about their child’s eligibility for the Free School Meals / Pupil Premium or how we use this funding. Mrs Bowen, our School Business Manager can help you if you have any questions. You can contact her via the school office or admin@ashwell.herts.sch.uk
Universal Free School Meals
Children in reception, year 1 and year 2
Your child is eligible for universal infant free school meals if they are in either Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.
School milk in Reception, year 1 and year 2 - schools provide free milk for all children, up until their 5th birthday. If it's during the term, they won't get free milk from that term onwards. After that, children who qualify for TARGETED Free School Meals can continue to get free milk. Contact your school for more information.
Please note: If you also get any of the qualifying benefits below, please make sure that you register as we receive additional funding for this. Registering your child in Reception – Year 2 not only ensures they will receive a free healthy meal every lunchtime, it also raises an additional funding for the school from the government. This money is used by the school to offer pupils invaluable additional support.
Have you registered your child if you are eligible?
Children in Reception – Year 2: Register Here
Free School Meals - Year 3 to 6
Children in Year 3 – 6 (also Nursery!)
Your child can get a free school meal if you receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Pupils eligible under the no recourse to public funds criteria can also get a free school meal.
Schools receive additional funding and the pupil may be entitled to other benefits.
If you receive Universal Credit but your household income is more than £7,400, your child can get a free school meal only.
Apply today if you receive any of these benefits. It takes 5 mins and, in most cases, we can tell you straightaway if your child can get free meals at school. Apply Here
School milk in year 3 or above
Children entitled to TARGETED free school meals can also get free milk. Contact the office for more information.
Pupil Premium Funding
Pupil Premium Funding
Pupil premium funding is sent directly to the school, and its main focus is to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities and help them reach their potential.
Children who are eligible for TARGETED Free School Meal, also qualify for Pupil Premium Funding. If you register, Ashwell School gets extra funding to pay for additional staff hours, resources, books and trips etc.
Pupil premium funding is not a personal budget for individual pupils, and the funding will be used to improve teaching quality to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils.
The school has a number of pupils who are eligible for pupil premium funding; however, we understand that all pupils face unique challenges and, therefore, the funding will not only be used for the benefit of eligible pupils. Pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium, however, will be prioritised.
The school intends to ensure pupil premium can be used to address the following areas:
- High-quality teaching, e.g. by investing in staff development.
- Targeted academic support
- Non-academic barriers to success, e.g. attendance, behaviour, and social and emotional support.