Cost of living information and support for parents and carers

At Sarum St Pau's CofE VA Primary School, we understand that the cost of supporting your children through school can put pressure on your household budgets. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in money worries for many more families and now we are facing even further pressures with increases in cost of living for essentials like food, heating and fuel.      

We understand how difficult it can be when children are unable to participate in activities in the way they would like to, when costs get in the way. We want all our children to feel comfortable and confident in school and be able to participate in everything that is on offer.  We want to do all we can to make every school day affordable for all our families and to help you find the support you might need if you have money concerns.

Getting help 

It can be difficult to talk about money worries.  People finding it hard to make ends meet often hang on and try and sort things out themselves; not seeking help until the situation has become very difficult.  Whatever the issues you are facing we would encourage you to ask for support before things get that way.  There is no shame in seeking support and both the school and the help organisations listed below will help with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Please talk to us about your concerns so that we can work together to ensure your child can access everything on offer whatever the cost. You can contact school through the following ways:

Debbie Newman (Family Link Worker) - psa@sarum-st-pauls.wilts.sch.uk or 07752 158827

Mrs Buckley (admin officer) - office@sarum-st-pauls.wilts.sch.uk or 01722 336459

Confidentially via the following email address: affordable@sarum-st-pauls.wilts.sch.uk (this is monitored by members of the Senior Leadership Team)

There are also many sources of support from both local and national organisations. Here are some key agencies that we recommend: 

Support for your family and school

Parents can claim ‘Pupil Premium’ support for children (referred to as Free School Meals FSM) if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

• 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 guaranteed 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if applying on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax & not including any benefits you get)

This entitles your child to free school meals, beyond EYFS and KS1 where this provision is universal, as well as a wide range of additional support for your child (academic, cost of the school day support and wellbeing)

Information for parents about access and benefits of claiming FSM can be found at: Free school meals - Wiltshire Council

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme. Food vouchers may also be available through the Household Support Fund.

Please ask the school for support if you have any questions about your entitlement or application.

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NHS Low Income Scheme: If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help depending on your weekly income and necessary outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply

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The home energy scheme: Energy and cost saving actions which could help reduce bills

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