For Parents & Carers
Financial Support
We understand that financial pressures can affect families in a variety of ways, and that circumstances can sometimes change unexpectedly. No family should feel that they have to manage financial difficulties alone.
Our school is committed to supporting families and helping them access information, advice and services that may be able to provide practical or financial assistance. This may include support with the cost of school essentials, accessing benefits or other sources of financial help.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss financial support, please contact the Learning Support Unit in the first instance. Our team will listen in confidence, provide guidance and, where appropriate, help you identify and access further support.
Families in hardship and needing wider support
Anyone experiencing hardship may be able to receive support through the Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS), which may be able to provide support for food, fuel, clothes, and other essential household items to families experiencing hardship.
Wider support from a range of partners can then also be made available with NAS working alongside the Children's Services Community and Partnerships service.
Families may get in touch with NAS via their dedicated website which includes an online application form, or if they cannot access the internet, they can call 0344 800 8020.
Pre-loved Uniform Shop
If you need help with uniform, we have our Pre-loved Uniform Shop. Please contact us with your requirements and we will have a look through the items we have.
Free School Meals
Are you entitled to Free School Meals?
A significant number of our students already claim their entitlement and use it every day however, we know that so many more families are entitled to claim and do not.
We recognise that there are often many reasons as to why families do not claim for their entitlement. Some parents may fear being stigmatised for doing so, others may feel that the process of claiming is too difficult.
As a School, we are committed to ensuring that all of our students are receiving the support they need to make their learning journey with us a successful one, whether this is through pastoral support or by providing them with a nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtimes.
If you feel that you may be entitled to Free School Meals or you would like further advice on how to claim or to check your eligibility we would encourage you to get in touch with Norfolk County Council.
Claiming is quick and easy and could mean that you gain over £400 a year in free lunches. As School, we could gain over £900 to spend on making your child’s education better, meaning that Free School Meals really do benefit everyone.
Eligibility for Free School Meals is changing. More information can be found here:
If you think you might be eligible for FSM, you can apply using this form:
NCC_Free_School_Meals_Application_form
or by scanning the QR code:
If you are already in receipt of benefit related FSM, you do not need to re-apply and your entitlement will be checked and confirmation of entitlement sent to you before the end of the summer holiday by Norfolk County Council. This confirmation will include details of how to contact NCC if you have any queries regarding your eligibility.
Cost of Living Vouchers
Families who currently receive Edenred vouchers, through the HSF scheme, will receive their last vouchers in March.
The council's Client Hardship Service (CHS) will continue and there will also be support for families in crisis as part of the new scheme. However, eligibility for free school meals will not lead to automatic entitlement.
Why is this happening?
Since 2021, the County Council has been providing vouchers of about £15 per month per child to families who have children who are eligible for free school meals. This has been possible because of funding provided by government called the HSF. This fund comes to an end on 31 March.
The government is putting a new Crisis and Resilience Fund in place that will start on 1 April. The government's rules for this new fund are different; we cannot use this money to pay for voucher schemes like this.
What happens next?
The council is currently planning for the introduction of the CRF and we will update you when we have more information. We will also be providing an updated leaflet about the support on offer.
The Government is clear that the future scheme must be needs tested and include wraparound support. This means that the current eligibility criteria cannot apply.
- Although HSF is coming to an end, there will be ongoing support for families in crisis. We would encourage people to visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/costofliving which will be kept up to date with any help on offer.
- If families have any unspent vouchers, we would encourage them to redeem them as soon as possible and for the March vouchers to be redeemed within the three-month timeframe to ensure they do not expire.
- If families are in difficulty, we would encourage them to contact our Family Hubs services www.norfolk.gov.uk/familyhubs where there is broader support on debt and welfare rights.
- The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme is continuing, and the Easter programme will launch in the coming weeks. Families can visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/bignorfolkholidayfun to sign up.
Useful Information
Useful Websites
Norfolk District Council - Crisis and Resilience Service