Self-isolating pupils won’t miss free school meals

Pupils who are forced to isolate because of covid won’t miss out on a free school meal.

Arrangements for the provision of free school meals are to be extended, helping to ensure that children don’t miss out on their entitlement when they have to stay at home.

West Lothian Council Executive approved the terms of a report which will see more school pupils benefit with changes already in place for the current school year, 2021-2022.

If your child has missed school because of self-isolation due to Covid-19 and you are in receipt of a School Clothing Grant for a child in P1 to P4 or Free School Meals for a child in P5-S6 then an online form must be completed to ensure you continue to receive your entitlement.

This can be found via the Free School Meals page on the West Lothian Council website: https:// www.westlothian.gov.uk/ article/43281/ School-Clothing-Grants-FreeSchool-Meals-Milk

If you require any assistance then please get in touch with EducationBenefits@ westlothian.gov.uk.

The information you provide will be cross referenced with pupil school attendance records.

Payment will be made to your bank account. You will be required to complete one form per child for each period of isolation.

Executive councillor for education, David Dodds, said: “The provision of free school meals to all eligible children and young people has been a key objective of the council during the period of school closures, and subsequent holiday periods.

“The proposed amendments to the contingency arrangements will further extend the support offered to children and young people in low income families, and avoid problems of access for children and young people.”