Portsmouth and Hampshire education leaders welcome Easter free school meal announcement but express concerns over timing
EDUCATION leaders have welcomed news the government is extending Free School Meal vouchers over the Easter holidays but have expressed reservations over timing and lack of clarity.
Former education secretary, Michael Gove, confirmed that eligible families will now be able to access the voucher system, worth £15 per child each week, over the holiday despite the government previously stating the system would be introduced on Monday April 20, when schools would have been due to return.
However, with details still to be clarified and planning having already taken place, Portsmouth is ‘going to go with what we’ve already put in place’.
Cabinet member for Education, Suzy Horton, said: ‘While we welcome this announcement, with Easter holidays having started it would have been useful to know in a more timely manner to make any organisation more efficient.
‘Plans were already organised and as such, most schools will continue with provision already in place.’
For the majority of schools this will consist of hamper provided by Caterlink, the city’s main school caterers, which will supply two weeks-worth of groceries.
While Mr Gove’s announcement has been welcomed by the National Education Union (NEU), vice-president and Portsmouth teacher, Amanda Martin, hopes schools will be able to reclaim any expenditure.
Ms Martin said: ‘While schools don’t ordinarily provide food over holiday periods these are exceptional circumstances. Schools are remaining open for key worker and vulnerable children and many parents are in need of support due to wage reductions.
‘While many schools may already have plans in place we would expect this commitment by the government would reimburse any funding claims.’
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It’s a similar situation across the county with many schools already having put provision in place.
A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said: ‘It’s helpful to see the government’s announcement the national voucher scheme will be available to schools over the holiday. We’ve already been supporting schools to make arrangements during this period of uncertainty and many now have a meal offer in place. We await the details of the government’s planned arrangements.’
The move has been welcomed by headteacher at Park Community School, Chris Anders, but with 310 FSM children the logistics of putting a system in place at short notice is ‘very challenging’.
Mr Anders said: ‘I certainly welcome the commitment for holiday provision but my understanding is that schools are encouraged to initially continue with whatever provision is in place until after the holidays.
‘The announcement shows an appreciation of the financial burden placed on families but for schools with a high proportion of FSM children what’s challenging is putting in place a mechanism to do it.’
Park Community School have already arranged a £12 weekly shopping voucher for Farmfoods for eligible families and have confirmed they will use this over the Easter break before moving onto the national voucher system.