Schools invite local leaders to see the impact of expanded free school meals

Wandsworth Council is expanding its support for families by widening eligibility for free school meals and offering a range of additional assistance as children return to school. The latest initiative, part of the Access for All scheme, will allow more secondary school pupils to receive free meals, saving families up to £500 per child each year. The council is also providing vouchers for school uniforms, free breakfasts, and access to high-quality books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, ensuring every child has the resources they need to succeed.

The latest of these visits took place yesterday (22 September). Cabinet Member for Children Judi Gasser and Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova both attended St John Bosco’s College where they sat down to chat to pupils while they enjoyed their school meal about the difference the expansion has made.

This follows Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg and Putney MP Fleur Anderson’s visit to Ark Putney School on 12 September to help serve lunches.

From this September, eligibility for free school meals in Wandsworth will be widened under the Access for All scheme so that more secondary school pupils can receive support. Previously limited to families with income below £7,400, the threshold will be raised, saving families up to £500 per child each year.

The visits also highlight the wider package of help available for families as children return to school. The School Uniform Support Scheme has been expanded so that eligible families with children entering Reception and Year 7 will receive vouchers worth up to £170 to help cover the cost of new uniforms. More primary schools are now able to offer free breakfasts through the Council’s partnership with Magic Breakfast, ensuring children start the day ready to learn. 

Beyond the school gates, Wandsworth has launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library so that every child aged nought to five can receive a free, high-quality book delivered to their home every month until their fifth birthday. The Council is also expanding the Apple Schools programme to include more primaries and specialist SEND resource bases for the new academic year. 

Speaking at Ark Putney, Simon Hogg said the Council’s priority was to make sure no child is held back because of the cost of essentials.

Together these initiatives form part of Wandsworth’s pledge to ensure that all children have the food, clothing, resources and opportunities they need to succeed at school and beyond.