The number of students in Hammersmith & Fulham receiving free school meals has risen by more than a third over the past five years. In secondary schools alone it has shot up by almost 60 per cent over the same period.
Many families across H&F are struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. So H&F's free school meals and clothing grants are now more vital than ever to alleviate the cost for families who are already financially strained.
"Our young people are really feeling the effects of these challenging times. We want our students to be fully equipped, supported and comfortable in the school day," said Cllr Alex Sanderson, H&F Cabinet Member for Children and Education.
"That's why we are dedicated to providing necessities like food and uniforms which are vital to our children's wellbeing as well as educational performance."
Check your eligibility and apply now
H&F currently has almost 6,000 students eligible for free school meals – or nearly 29 per cent of all local pupils. This is far above the national average of 22.5 per cent.
We've already had 684 applications submitted on the free school meals, school clothing grant and healthy meal allowance registration form this year so far. We've seen the application form webpage visits rise to 5,608 views this year from 2,065 views since before the Covid pandemic in 2019. And since 2017-18, the number of free school meals we are providing in secondary schools each day has soared from 1,262 to 2,007.
Find out about your child's eligibility for free school meals and school clothing grants and apply now here.
Other support in H&F
H&F has a history of fighting food poverty in the borough:
- We've stepped in to offer free school meals over half term – twice.
- We've provided universal free breakfast to every primary school pupil.
- We've piloted free lunches for every student in two of our secondary schools.
The need for financial support for everyone in our borough is rapidly increasing during the cost-of-living crisis. Here's how else we're helping.
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