Finance and Payments

 

If you need any information or have any queries on any financial matters regarding your child’s education, please contact the school office via email on office@orchardgrove.bep.ac or by phone on 01823 711014

 

Payments

The school does not accept cash or cheques.  All payment for School Meals, Trips, Activities and additional resources must be paid for through the Arbor. Arbor is the MIS system meaning that we can keep all important information relating to your child in one place and easily and accurately track all payments.

Free School Meals

Parents/Carers can claim free school meals for their children (if eligible) from Year 3 upwards.

To claim Free School Meals, parents should be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).

  • Income Support (IS).

  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).

  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.

  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

  • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs that does not exceed £16,190).

  • Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

 How to apply for Free School Meals

Apply through the Citizen Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.

Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) provides funding for all government funded schools to offer free school meals to pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. The UIFSM is different funding from that of the above benefits-related free school meals. However, it is important that parents who receive one of the qualifying benefits listed above register for benefits-related free school meals as this enables the school to claim pupil premium.