Important information regarding UPFSM school meal provision - Please read
Following the successful roll-out of UPFSM to Reception, Years 1-4, and eligible Nursery age pupils in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the next phase is to commence from 8th April 2024, where the offer will be extended to include all Year 5 and 6 pupils and eligible Nursery pupils.
- Eligible Nursery pupils are those who attend local authority* Nursery provision on a full-time basis (morning and afternoon sessions) in accordance with the Councils admissions policy: -
- All pupils aged 4 years, between 1st September 2023 and 31st December 2023, will be eligible for a free school meal from January 2024.
- All pupils aged 4 years, between 1st January 2024 and 31st March 2024, will be eligible for a free school meal from April 2024.
- All pupils aged 4 years, between 1st April 2024 and 31st August 2024, will be eligible for a free school meal from September 2024.
Primary school meals will also increase to £2.85 a day from Monday 8th April 2024. (only applicable to Nursery pupils not yet eligible for Universal Primary Free School Meals) and payments are still payable in advance weekly. Please see attached letter
Please can we remind all parents/carers, that if their child does not receive Free School Meals even if their child(ren) receive a Universal Primary Free School Meal (currently being rolled out ) and they think they may be entitled, to complete the online application form on the Council’s website (Free School meals - Apply for free school meals | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (rctcbc.gov.uk). Only by making a successful application for Free School Meals will they be eligible to automatically receive other support for their child(ren) for example a possible entitlement to a Schools Essential Grant for items such as uniform, kit and stationery.
All schools across Wales will then be entitled to additional funding to provide education and support these children. If eligible families don’t apply for a free school meal through the council it will affect the amount of funding from Welsh Government that the schools receive, meaning the school has less money than it is entitled to in order to provide education and support to your children.