Decision details

Consideration was given to a report presented by Joshua Amahwe, Head of Finance (CYPS) which provided an update on the final results of the Free School Meals (FSM) auto enrolment process. 

It was noted that work on the project had begun in November 2023.  The main aims of the project were to ensure that families were receiving what they were entitled to and that schools received the pupil premium grant associated with free school meals. 

The project involved carrying out a data matching exercise using revenue and benefit data and school census data. Following the completion of the data matching work a list of families eligible but not currently claiming Free School Meals was collated. 

Three hundred and sixty letters were issued to eligible families requesting consent to register for Free School Meals, of those letters issued three opted out of the process.  

Following completion of the exercise a total of three hundred and forty children were auto enrolled resulting in an approximate saving for families of £136,000 and approximate additional Pupil Premium funding of £502,560 for schools. 

Details relating to which schools would see the biggest gain in funding were set out in section 4.3 of the report. 

The Head of Finance emphasised that it remained important for schools to reflect the information in their census data returns as this would drive funding for the national funding formula and pupil premium. 

The Forum commended the excellent piece of work carried out and welcomed the positive outcome achieved. 

Agreed:- That the total number of additional families identified through the process and the additional pupil premium generated be noted.