Shropshire Schools are loosing out to the tune of 95 pence for each free school meal served, research carried out by two Shropshire Councillors has revealed.
On average each school meal costs £2.30 to make according to Government figures. However Schools in Shropshire have, for some considerable time, only been receiving £1.35 towards the cost of Free School meals leaving the schools themselves approximately £0.95 out of pocket for each free meal served.
It sounds small but it has a significant impact on school budgets. For example; there are approximately 200 school days in the year, so every child on school means will cost £190 from the budget. A secondary school such as Bishops Castle Community College where 56 pupils receive free lunches will incur costs the school of £10,640 per year. At a time of stringent budgets and cost cutting this is unacceptable.
This shortfall impacts just as hard on small primary schools too, especially in areas where patents are on low incomes.