We are mindful of the pressures facing not only students but also their families, and want to ensure that they have the best possible access to information, whether this be through the school’s own services, or by directing them to appropriate external resources and support.

 

Free School Meals

Parents/Carers can claim free school meals for their children (if eligible) from Year 3 at Primary School and upwards.

To claim Free School Meals, parents should be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).

• Income Support (IS).

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs that does not exceed £16,190).

• Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

In addition, children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right can also get free school meals.

Please follow the links below to find out more:

• for families living in Devon

  Website - Free school meals - Support for schools (devon.gov.uk)

  Phone - 0345 155 1019 

Free School Meals Holiday Voucher Scheme

Devon County Council is supporting families of children who currently receive free school meals during term time with supermarket vouchers to help buy food during the Easter Holiday 2026. For more information please go here. This is the final voucher scheme DCC is able to run, due to the end of the Household Support Fund. The new Crisis and Resilience Fund will be available to support families and information will be published on the DCC website as soon as it becomes available.

If you have any queries about Free School Meals, please contact the school office 

 

Devon HAF - Holiday and Activities Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food programme is being delivered by a number of different individuals and organisations across Devon including in Uffculme, Cullompton and Tiverton.

To see more information and to access the programme go to the Devon County Council website:

Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme - Children, families and education

All clubs will be operating for a minimum of four hours, including a hot meal. Please note that booking details differ depending on each provider. The schemes are fully inclusive and accessible, so please discuss your child’s needs with your chosen provider.

 

The Division of Clinical Psychology’s Faculty for Children, Young People and their Families (CYPF) has published tips for talking to children about illness.

Children are not little adults, and their understanding depends on their developmental stage.

This leaflet is designed to help parents, carers and education providers to talk about ill health in a way that is developmentally suitable for them.

The advice is broken down into four distinct age categories, ranging from the youngest children to teenagers, and also discusses the developmental characteristics that define each age group.

In addition, it also covers what children may do or say in reaction to illness at each age, and offers tips on how to help them process their understanding of events.

• Relaxation Techniques for Children & Young People
• Government Guidance on Supporting Children & Young Peoples Mental Health & Well-being
• Government Guidance Looking after Your Feelings
• BBC How to Protect your Mental Health
• Young Minds Looking after your Mental Health
• Parents as Emotional Coaches
• Parent Guidance for children with ADHD & ASD
• Emotional Well-being & Mental Health
• NSPCC Positive Parenting
• Childline - Worries about the World
• NHS Every Mind Matters

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical wellbeing.

• If you feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, its important to get support as soon as possible.
• The NHS Every Mind Matters website has lots of advice to help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing right now,

You can also start your own online action plan called a ‘Your Mind Plan’ to help you take simple, practical steps to look after your mental wellbeing by dealing with stress, boosting your mood and feeling on top of things.

Mind

Mind has a page providing general advice for everyone about maintaining wellbeing. The page has two distinct sections: Plan for staying at home or indoors; Taking care of our mental health and wellbeing.

• Maintaining Your Family’s Health & Well-being
• Relaxation Techiques for Children & Young PeopleSun