Headteacher says free school meals are 'essential'

A headteacher has said it is "absolutely essential" that all primary school children are automatically enrolled for free school meals.

Sarah Mijatovich from Claycots Primary School in Slough, Berkshire, said: "It's vital to know that all of our children have eaten at least one hot nutritious meal a day."

It follows calls for free school meals to be extended by the government to help struggling families.

The primary school is one of the first schools to pilot the government's free breakfast clubs scheme.

From April 180,000 pupils in England are being offered "healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts" in schools before class, Labour said - with over a third of schools in the pilot scheme in deprived areas.

But some MPs and head teachers' unions have raised concerns the funding is too low.

Ms Mijatovich said that her school is able to provide one free school meal through the universal free school meal offer.

Currently, the school is providing free school meals for children in reception through to year two, after that parents are required to pay for the hot meal.

Ms Mijatovich explained that the school don't have the budget to offer free meals to all of their pupils.

She added for that to happen it would need funding from central government.

At Claycots the universal free school meal is mandatory.

Ms Mijatovich said the school made that decision as "it removes any stigma around being in receipt of a free school meal" and it gives confidence that "the children have eaten a really nutritious meal at least once a day".

She said: "All the research shows that children who eat a really high quality lunch have better educational outcomes.

"We can see when children haven't eaten so well at lunchtime, their ability to self regulate and to focus on their learning just isn't there.

"I would absolutely like to see the free school meals offer being rolled out to all primary school children as it would make such a big difference.

The school said it is saving an average family about £1,000 a year by ensuring a free school meals offer is taken up.

Ms Mijatovich said at her school they have a "high number of families who are probably at risk of food poverty" but don't necessarily qualify for the free school meals offer.

The school runs several schemes to support families who need additional support.

This includes free school uniform, a community pantry, food bank vouchers and a breakfast club for families who need it.

"We've seen a real increase in all of those things being taken up," she said.

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