Highland education chair Cllr John Finlayson expresses concern over rural poverty
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The chair of Highland Council’s education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, has aired his concern that many rural schools across Highland are not receiving a fair share of the Scottish Government’s Pupil Equity Funding as the current allocation criteria is based on free school meal entitlement and does not take account of rural poverty.
Pupil Equity Funding is allocated directly to schools and targeted at closing the poverty related attainment gap. Schools have been allocated funding for pupils in P1-S3 known to be eligible for free school meals.
The funding, which continues to be awarded annually, is spent at the discretion of the headteacher, working in partnership with parents, staff and the council.
Schools now have their plans in place for using this session’s funding and will be implementing those plans for the remainder of the school session.
Cllr Finlayson said: “In terms of PEF I am still concerned that many rural schools do not receive any allocation, while others receive very little and this is because rural deprivation is not taken into account.
"I have actually raised this concern with the Deputy First Minister who has indicated he would welcome feedback about this from Highland and I am working with officers to provide him with comments.”
Even in cases where free school meals are available for all P1-P3 children, the uptake can vary greatly in schools. That may be partly explained by cultural issues relating to not wanting to accept benefits.
It is an issue, especially in rural areas where the uptake does not tend to be as high as in urban areas for a variety of factors.
Cllr Finlayson added: “Every year the schools circulate information about free school meal entitlement and there are still issues with people not claiming this valuable entitlement. I would urge anyone who is struggling financially, or thinks they may be eligible to apply online or phone for advice.”
During the current COVID-19 emergency, to receive free school meals and assistance with school clothing a household must be in receipt of any one of the following:
Income Support
Universal Credit (where the monthly earned income does not exceed £610).
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit, but not in receipt of Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105 (as assessed by the HMRC)
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and an income below £7,330 (as assessed by the HMRC)
If you are 16 to 18 yrs old and receive any of these benefits in your own right then you can claim for yourself
If you are an asylum seeker receiving support
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
"If you are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction and received free school meals or a school clothing grant last year there is no need to re-apply," said Mr Finlayson.
"We will automatically make an award this year. However, if you have a child who is due to start primary school, or you have a child in High School who will return to fifth year or sixth year after the summer holidays, you will need to let us know so that we can include them in this year's award.
"The school clothing grant is paid by paypoint vouchers, which will be sent to the mobile number you have provided.
"If you have changed your mobile number you must inform us of your new number to ensure you receive payment
"If you have questions relating to the free school meals scheme, please contact us by email at operations.team@highland.gov.uk."
