FSM & Financial Support

Funding for Student lunches

Some students are eligible to receive ‘free school meals.’  This means that credit is added to a student’s account, on a daily basis, to spend in our restaurant at breaktimes or at lunch.

  • Data from Reading Council tells us that many of our Families eligible for Free School Meals are not claiming them.
  • We cannot claim this benefit unless you ask us to.
  • If you are receiving Universal Credit (even if self-employed) it is likely that you are eligible to claim free school meal funding for your child/ren.
  • The funding is worth £500 per student of school food over the school year.
  • Applications are confidential and data is held in line with Data Protection rules.
  • Students who receive the funding are not identifiable in the restaurant by other Students.

How can we check your eligibility?

  • It is simple for us to check your eligibility by you providing 3 pieces of information.
  • If your child is eligible, they will remain eligible until the end of Year 11. Over the whole phase of secondary education which is £2.5k of free food per child.
  • Families from abroad may also be eligible if they are allocated a National Asylum Support Service Number. There are many other circumstances in which Free School Meals are available – please do contact [email protected] to check.
  • Other benefits such as Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit also have some eligibility – Let us check for you!
  • If you aren’t eligible now, we will check each term and let you know of any allocation.
  • You can apply through the online form here. 

Financial Support Fund

The Financial Support Fund is a discretionary source of financial help available to all students at The Wren School. The aim of the Fund is to help students who have difficulties in paying for:

  • Uniform, winter coats, shoes or sports kit.
  • Materials or equipment to assist in studies.
  • Educational trips (to enhance learning but are not essential).
  • Other necessary expenses.

View the Wren Financial Support Fund (FSF) Policy here.

To submit an application, please read the document above fully and complete the e-form here.

Payments from the fund are discretionary and if awarded do not need to be repaid.

Applications are not normally approved towards the cost of out-of-catchment transport.

Second hand uniform donations are welcome in school but can also be resold privately. Please contact us on [email protected] for more details.

The Wren School reserves the right to withdraw the Financial Support Fund at any time and without notice.