Free school dinners saves parents millions of pounds
Around 6,630 Calderdale children, aged 4-7, are eligible for free school lunches - saving parents up to a reportedly £400 per year.
Presently, free school meals are means tested for children in years three and upwards but, as of September, all children in reception and years one and two will receive free school lunches in an initiative to reduce child obesity - currently, one in five children is obese by the time they leave primary school.
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Hide AdDeputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who is spearheading the new initiative, said: “Free school meals for infants will not only save families hundreds of pounds a year but will also have an impact on how a child performs in the classroom so that, regardless of their background, every child can have the best possible start in life.
Pupils at the pilot schools were found to be up to two months ahead of their peers elsewhere.This is one of the most progressive changes to our school system for a long time.”