This area of our school website offers a range of support and guidance to parents / carers of our school and community.

Free School Meals

If you are in receipt of income support or other means tested benefits, then your child is entitled to a free school meal. Please make a claim and use your entitlement – it is a pity to waste it.

Eligibility

You can get free school meals if you receive any one of the following:

• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit – as long as you have a yearly household income of less than £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) and do not get Working Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit.

Apply online for Free School Meals for an instant decision: https://liverpool.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/grants-and-funding/free-school-meals/application-form/

If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support there is no need to complete the form – just contact the council on 0151 233 3009 and they will update your details to include free school meals.

How to claim

For Liverpool residents, it is quickest to apply online for an immediate decision. The online application form checks whether your child is eligible and gives you an instant answer.

Apply Online Now For An Immediate Decision, just click this button:

If you live in Liverpool and already receive free school meals but wish to register another child, just contact the council Tel: 0151 233 3009 instead of completing the form again.

Note: If you claim Universal Credit Click Here to download a paper application form and return to: Liverpool City Council, Benefits Service, PO Box 13, L69 2JG.

Note: Foster parents already receive funding and are not eligible for free school meals.

18 and over?

If you are over 18 and still attend school, you can claim for free school meals if you receive any of the first three allowances listed above.

Knowsley Residents should contact their council Tel: 0151 443 4042 or complete a Knowsley FSM application form

How are school meals paid?

If your claim is successful the school will be notified that your child can have free school meals (FSM). School will ensure that this information is treated with the strictest confidence and handled sensitively.

We know from our records that lots of parents do not claim their entitlement of a Free School Meal for their son/daughter, or feel that they can cope without – which not only loses the opportunity for them to receive a free daily meal, but also loses money for the school. We receive additional funds for each and every student claiming free school meals, called Pupil Premium, based on the number of students claiming free school meals, and provides extra funding for us to support your child. School positively encourages parents to apply for FSM.

If parents have reservations that their child may be embarrassed or singled out, let us assure you that our cashless catering system makes it impossible to differentiate between those students receiving free school meals and those whose parents have paid in advance. Other students would not know who is on FSM. It simply means that your child has an allowance for a free school meal every day, without the worry.

Don’t lose your entitlement, claim Free School Meals, it’s quick and easy – make an application now online for an immediate decision https://liverpool.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/grants-and-funding/free-school-meals/application-form/

Food for thought – Holly Lodge Food Dignity pantry

The city of Liverpool consists of six boroughs – Halton, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens and Liverpool. There are thought to be 82,205 children living in poverty across our city. That’s 25.6% of all children who are living in households that are having to go without food or are missing meals as a result of the cost of living crisis we are facing in the UK.

Rising food, housing and energy costs are affecting the most vulnerable families across Liverpool. Les Flintcroft- MCKS Charity Chairman estimates that 9 children in a class of 30 are thought to be living in poverty.

Holly Lodge and MCKS Charity Foundation UK are working together to support our students and their families.

Holly Lodge is excited to announce the opening of its ‘Dignity Food Pantry’.

For further details or support please contact Angie Martin:

Tel: 0151 228 3772 E-mail: a.martin@hollylodge.liverpool.sch.uk

Student Travel

Children up to age 16 may be entitled to subsidised transport, depending on the distance from home to school and if they meet certain eligibility criteria.

Please click the link here to read the Home to School Transport Policy for full details and eligibility before you apply. If your child is in post 16 education or training please also read our Post 16 Transport Statement 2022/23.

https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/school-travel-support/