Dear parent/carer

 

Universal primary free school meals (UPFSM) and cashless school meal balance email alerts

 

The planned further roll-out of UPFSM for school pupils in Bridgend is listed below:

 

• January 2024 - full-time Nursery pupils;
• April 2024 - Year 4 pupils; and
• September 2024 – Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.

 

This will mean that, from the start of the 2024-2025 school year, all primary school pupils will be able to access a free school meal. 

 

If your child currently pays for local authority provided school meals, you may already be aware that the weekly email detailing your child’s account balance has recently been suspended due to issues outside the local authority’s control.  This is due to an issue linked to a system upgrade required to support the implementation of UPFSM.  This issue affects both primary and secondary schools.

 

The local authority apologises for any inconvenience this has caused and is grateful for your patience and understanding while alternative arrangements are being explored.

 

Although parents/carers can ask for their child’s balance direct from their child’s school, the local authority is informed that requests are placing a significant burden on school administrative staff.  The local authority would therefore be grateful if pupils, parents, and carers can limit their requests for their account balances at this time.

 

In the meantime, until we are able to offer an alternative account balance notification, I am grateful for your patience and understanding in this matter.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)

 

Corporate Director – Education and Family Support

Bridgend County Borough Council