Educational Awards and Benefits
Staffordshire Education Service provides a range of support services to help parents help their children to have a quality education and life at school.
Benefits and grants can help with transport and school meals. The Education Welfare Service can also help children through upsets or settling into a new school, as well as those having difficulty with regular attendance.
Transport
For more information on home to school and college transport, please see our school transport pages|.
Free School Meals
Free meals are provided for children with parents on Income Support or Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance. Facilities are also available for children to eat food brought from home, although they are encouraged to have a school dinner. Application for free meals can be made at the school or at your nearest Education Welfare office. Free meals can only be provided from the date of your application. For more information visit the free school meals| pages.
16 - 19 Bursary
Schools, colleges and training providers have bursary funds to help you if you’re studying or starting a course and face financial hardship.
For more information about 16 - 19 bursaries please visit the DirectGov web site|.
Clothing
The policy of the Education Committee is that uniforms in County Maintained Schools should not be compulsory, but most schools have a voluntary dress code which has been agreed with parents. You can get information on school uniform and guidelines on clothing from your child's school. In exceptional cases, grants towards cost may be available. Apply to the Secondary or Middle school which your child attends. (There are no grants available for first or primary schools.)
Over 16s
If your child stays on at school after 16, you may be eligible for a Maintenance Allowance if you are on a low level of income, similar to Income Support. If payable, the allowance is available for children at school. Interview expenses may also be payable if your child goes on to higher education.
The arrangements above apply to courses up to the equivalent of 'A' Level. For information on post 16 transport please see our post 16 transport page|.
Student Financial Support
There are mandatory or discretionary grants available for Higher and Further Education.|
Education Welfare Service
There will be an Education Welfare Officer attached to your child's school who can give you help and advice on a whole range of welfare issues.
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Applying for free meals
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Attendance problems
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Part-time employment of children
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Managing "parental responsibility" in split families
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Linking home and school
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Behavioural problems/Exclusions
To contact the Education Welfare Service, you can ring the following numbers:
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Burton/Tamworth: (01283) 239078
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Lichfield/Cannock: (01543) 512073
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Newcastle/Moorlands: (01782) 297575
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Stafford/South Staffs: (01785) 356878
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