LETTER Free School Meal Request

The LETTER: Free School Meal Request is a structured template designed to help parents formally request access to free school meals, citing lawful entitlements under the Education Act 1996 and relevant welfare provisions. It supports families in navigating stigma, delays, or administrative barriers by clearly outlining eligibility, whether based on income, benefits, or EHCP-linked needs and requesting timely action from the school or local authority.

Why It’s Important: #

• Protects the child’s right to nutrition and inclusion, especially during financial hardship or SEN-related attendance issues.
• Cites statutory duties, making it harder for schools or LAs to dismiss or delay the request.
• Empowers parents to advocate without confrontation, using clear, lawful language.
• Can be used to escalate if schools fail to apply or renew entitlements—especially relevant for children on part-time timetables or with EBSA.

It’s a vital tool for ensuring basic needs are met while reinforcing the child’s dignity and access to education.

Quick Guides #

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• GUIDE: SEND Reg’s EASY GUIDE
• RESOURCE: STRESS AND HOW YOUR CHILD MAY PRESENT! INFO-GRAPHIC.
• RESOURCE: Understanding Your Child or YP’s STRESS!
• RESOURCE: SEN Parent Top Tips
• GUIDANCE Sanctions Detention Isolation Punishments ©SEN Parent Support Group

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SEND & Equality Law #

19

• RESOURCE: What Is Special Educational Provision
• RESOURCE: What Is The SEN Register?
• GUIDANCE: UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (UNCRC)
• RESOURCE: Quick Legal Reference Guide
• RESOURCE: The Children and Wellbeing Schools Bill in Layman Terms

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Understanding SEND #

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• LETTER: Post 16 SECTION 19 – Formal Letter to LA or Stage 1 Complaint
• GUIDANCE: SEND Need Descriptors For IEP via APDR
• QUICK GUIDE: Example SEND Graduated Response (How APDR is approached In Schools)
• RESOURCE: Executive Functioning
• RESOURCE: Child YP Difficulty Rating for the School Day.

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Communicating With School #

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• LETTER: To School Requesting Reasonable Adjustment for Mobile Phone
• RESOURCE: How To Write A Structured / Impactful Complaint (LA or School)
• LETTER: To School When They Enforce a Part Time Timetable Without Acknowledging Need
• LETTER: To School For Referral To OT/SALT/EP as Part of APDR Cycle
• RESOURCE: Eating Disorders and School Adjustments

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SEN Support Before EHCP #

12

• LETTER: To School Requesting Commencement of APDR Cycle
• RESOURCE: SEND Parents Daily Emotions Diary
• LETTER: To School – Child Academically Able But No Support Given In Other Areas
• RESOURCE: Core Deficit Supporting Tool
• GUIDANCE:The SEN Process Prior To EHCP

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All Things EHCP #

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• LETTER: Stage 1 LA on Grounds of Maladministration During EHCP NA Process
• LETTER: To LA – Refusal to Assess Decision Made via Misapplied Law
• LETTER: Post 16 SECTION 19 – Formal Letter to LA or Stage 1 Complaint
• LETTER: To LA (Formal Notice) When Amendments Not Applied to Draft
• Annual Review During Your Appeal?

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Attendance, Exclusions & Sanctions #

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• LETTER: Responding To Prosecution s444
• GUIDANCE: Exclusions Fixed Term or Permanent
• LETTER: To School When They Fail To Progress After Part Time Time-Table
• VLOG: How To Communicate To Prevent The Threat of Fines!
• GUIDANCE: Government Guidance on Suspension/Exclusion – England

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Complaints #

17

• LETTER: Stage 1 LA on Grounds of Maladministration During EHCP NA Process
• LETTER: Post 16 SECTION 19 – Formal Letter to LA or Stage 1 Complaint
• LETTER: To School Requesting Reasonable Adjustment for Mobile Phone
• RESOURCE: How To Write A Structured / Impactful Complaint (LA or School)
• LETTER: Formal Complaint for RTC Pause

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Financial #

3

• SEND REFORM: The Financials
• LETTER Free School Meal Request
• GUIDANCE: Personal Budget and Direct Payments