From June 3, Year 5 pupils across the county borough will be eligible for free school meals, as the Universal Primary Free School Meal initiative continues to roll out.
Eligibility for Year 5 and 6 pupils was originally proposed from September 2024. However, the hard work offered by the catering service means that the scheme will be available sooner for Year 5 learners and will start following the Whitsun half-term break.
As scheduled, the provision will be accessible to Year 6 pupils at the start of the new school year in September, when all primary school pupils will be eligible for a free school meal.
The initiative was launched by Welsh Government in 2022 to help families ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis and almost 11,000 pupils in schools throughout the county borough are now able to receive a free school meal.
It is rewarding to see this important initiative rolled-out across the county borough. Universal primary free school meals provide significant financial help to families, whilst also offering a nutritional meal to children which allows them to concentrate on learning.
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank catering staff and schools for their continued support, as well as for their hard work in delivering this vital service.
Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education
Parents and carers are not required to complete an application, as all eligible learners will automatically benefit from this offer.
