At the last Council meeting I asked a question about the uptake of free school meals, which apparently hasn't risen during the recession in Reading. Not quite believing the figures, at the Council meeting on Monday I will be asking what the proportion of people who could claim the benefit actually do so.
Some people feel shame in claiming for free school meals for their children. In fact, it is one of the best things one can do when times are tough. Children who receive free school meals automatically qualify for other benefits (for example, if they need to take a bus to get to school they can get a bus pass free). The number of children claiming free meals is also an indicator used to determine whether schools get funding for e.g. new buildings.
What's also happening in schools is that even where meals are provided to paying pupils, the uptake nationally appears to have dropped in favour of the packed lunch. So, I have asked a question about that too. For me, the provision of healthy food at a good price to children is one of the best ways to improve study concentration and general health: and therefore closing the gap between children from the richest and the poorest families.
I'll let you know what the Council says.
- Kirsten
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