Free school meals and milk
Hertfordshire County Council is working to promote free school meals and educational benefits, ensuring that as many eligible children and families as possible receive the support they are entitled to.
Parents can apply in any one of the following ways:
Free lunches for all our Reception and KS1 children and for older children whose families receive certain benefits.
Children in reception, year 1 and year 2
All our children can receive a free lunch at school if they're in Reception class, Year 1, or Year 2.
If you register, Maple Grove Primary School may be eligible for extra funding (called 'Pupil Premium') to cover the costs of additional staff time, extra computers, books, and student trips.
Universal Infant Free School Meals – register. Have your National Insurance number or Home Office number to hand when you apply.
School milk in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 - we provide free milk for all children until their 5th birthday. When they turn 5, they will then need to pay.
If your child is registered for free school meals (income-based), they can continue receiving free milk. Those who receive Universal Free School Meals are not entitled to free milk after their 5th birthday. Please contact our office for more information.
Nursery children
Nursery school children aren't entitled to free school meals; however, please discuss lunch arrangements with us if you would like your child to receive them.
School milk in the nursery - children get a free choice of whole milk or semi-skimmed, funded by the NHS.
Children in Year 3 or older
Your child can get a free school meal if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (as long as you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don't get more than £16,190 a year)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax, not including any benefits you get).
Apply today if you receive any of these benefits. It takes 5 minutes, and in most cases, we can tell you straight away if your child is eligible for free meals at school. Check your eligibility, then apply (Year three and older). Have your National Insurance number or Home Office number to hand when you apply.
School milk in year 3 or above
Children entitled to free school meals (income-based) can also receive free milk. Please contact our office for more information.