Plan to help ‘needy’ pupilswelcomed

THE GOVERNMENT’S intention to look at better support for pupils from families who are “just managing” financially has been welcomed by Partnerships for Jewish Schools.

Schools receive extra money only for children eligible for free school meals.

But in its recent green paper, the Department for Education says “schools should take greater account of those children of people on modest incomes… but who are nevertheless just about managing”.

Rabbi David Meyer, executive director of Pajes, said “due to the cultural sensitivities of our community, the free-school-meals measures currently in place do not address the most needy in our schools. We welcome the intention of the government to review this provision and will continue to work with the DfE to try to find a more equitable solution.”

At present, primary schools get an additional £1,320 for each pupil receiving a free meal and secondary schools £935.

But eligibility is restricted to those receiving a range of benefits and in effect earning under £16,190 a year.

While the average in England for free school meals is 14.3 per cent, the figure for most Jewish schools is well below that.

Only 1.2 per cent of pupils at the JFS in Kenton are eligible for free school meals; 2.6 per cent at Yavneh College in Borehamwood; 3.1 per cent at Hasmonean High School in Barnet: 3.6 per cent at King David High School, Manchester and four per cent at JCoSS in East Barnet.

However, 17.7 per cent of pupils at Kantor King Solomon High School in Ilford, where a majority of pupils are from other faiths, are eligible and 16.7 per cent at Simon Marks Primary School in Hackney. Rabbi Meyer observed there were “many families on low incomes who are not eligible for free school meals, but are struggling to support their children and provide for them”.

There was “a level of discomfort” among parents which inhibited some from registering for free school meals, he suggested. “They therefore do not register and as a result the children and the school loses out.”

Many families are struggling to support children’