Dear Parents/Carers,
Cost of Living Increases
We are aware of the recent cost of living increases. In order to support parents and carers we would like to make you aware of the following provisions that are in place for students at Strood Academy:
Free School Meals Provisions
Your child may be entitled to free school meals provided by the academy. By making an early application for free school meals we are able to plan for the upcoming academic year.
For your child to qualify for free school meals you will need to be able to prove that you are in receipt and can provide the relevant proof of one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
If you feel that your child may be entitled to free school meals you can make an application by using this link: https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/lat-strood
Free food and support in Medway
Medway Foodbank staff are in the office on Tuesdays to Friday and you can get help by completing the form on this link or contacting them on this phone number (01634 757057) or email address (info@medway.foodbank.org.uk).
If you are on Facebook you can follow the group Kent Community Helpers (previously called Free Food in Kent and Medway) to seek additional support.
If you live in the Gillingham area, Gillingham Street Angels at 43 Skinner Street often have free food available Monday – Saturday 9am – 1pm: 01634 855608
Brompton Community Store, 6A High St Brompton has free food available Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3pm. You may wish to call ahead: 01634 844711.
Pre-Owned Uniform Shop
‘Pre-owned’ at Strood Academy is our second hand uniform shop that is there to support our disadvantaged families during the cost of living crisis and beyond. As an academy we pride ourselves on our unapologetically high expectations and ‘Pre-owned’ supports all pupils to ensure that they have the correct uniform every day, at a lower cost. This will allow our pupil premium students to flourish, thrive and promote social justice, through excellent outcomes for all.
When receiving ‘Pre-owned’ uniforms, Parents/Guardians are asked to make a donation via Parent Pay, at a cost that is affordable to them. This donation will be directly put back into the academy to support disadvantaged families with trip payments, stationary and resources such as revision guides.
Please email Mrs West (gaby.west@stroodacademy.org) with any requests for ‘Pre-owned’ uniform.
Post 16 (6th Form) – 16-19 Bursary
The Bursary is designed to help students with education-related costs in Post 16, such as clothing, textbooks, equipment, and transportation to and from school. Your child could potentially qualify for the bursary if one of the following criteria can be met:
- They are a young person in care
- They are a young care leaver
- They are in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in place of Income Support
- They are in receipt of both Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living or Personal Independence Payments
- They are in receipt of Free School Meals
- Your combined household income is less than £20,000 per annum.
If you believe that your child meets any of the criteria above, please could you complete and return the attached bursary forms to a member of the Post 16 team. Please note, should your child meet the criteria above, payments are made on a termly basis, directly to them.
Yours faithfully,
Gaby West
Assistant Principal, Pupil Premium, Attendance, KS3 Victory
