A free school feeding scheme in west Northamptonshire has been extended over the next two school holidays.
The most vulnerable children in the new unitary authority area will receive meal vouchers for the February semester and the Easter holidays.
Since the start of the pandemic, many local authorities have introduced a system whereby those children who would normally receive free school meals during school hours continue to receive support during the school holidays, following a wide-ranging national campaign by England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford .
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Vulnerable children receive a £15 meal voucher during the school holidays. (file image).
In Northamptonshire the scheme has continued and is expected to continue for at least the next two school holidays.
According to the council, the scheme will support 9,500 families by providing a voucher of £15 per week per child for the combined three weeks of school holidays.
Councilor Fiona Baker, West Northamptonshire Council cabinet member for Children, Families and Education, said: “It is with great determination that we have secured funding for free school meals throughout the pandemic and we are delighted to once again support vulnerable families in the first half this year.
“But these funds are not infinite, and while we remain committed to helping those facing the greatest challenges, this may be the last time we can offer this type of support.”
Schools are currently being asked to provide lists of eligible families from which WNC will create individual student vouchers to be returned to schools for distribution.
The initial voucher distribution period includes only the semi-annual period in February. The Easter holiday voucher will be handed out separately.
Schools with the most eligible students will receive the vouchers first and the remainder in descending order in time for the start of next month’s school holidays.