Thousands more pupils to receive free school meals as scheme expanded to S1 to S3 students

Thousands more school children in Scotland are receiving free school meals this academic year.

Students in S1 to S3 attending certain schools in eight council areas are taking part in a trial extension of the scheme which is part of the Scottish Government’s mission to reduce child poverty.

Students at the pilot schools whose parents or carers receive the Scottish Child Payment will receive a free lunch every day.

The change takes the number of pupils being offered free school meals in Scotland to more than 360,000.

From August, almost 60 schools across Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire will be taking part in the trial.

In Glasgow, Castlemilk High, Drumchapel High, Lochend Community High and Springburn Academy are involved in the ‘Test of Change’ pilot.

School meals are being rolled out to eight local authorities STV News

STV News visited Springburn Academy, where students were enjoying a range of school dinners in the canteen.

Karen Bennett, catering manager, explained: “We kind of want them in, eating healthy, nutrional food – not going out to takeaways.

“Sometimes kids are rushing out in the morning and maybe not eating until lunchtime, so it’s a healthy, nutritional, well-balanced diet.”

“I certainly feel that not only being part of the pilot allows us to tackle some of the issues associated with the cost of living crisis, but most importantly for us as a school, it’s about maximising the number of young people that are well-nourished,” head teacher Letizia Riddell added.

“We do have challenges socially, and so for us to be able to be part of this pilot means that even more young people will have even fewer challenges to overcome.”

The trial runs until the end of next June.

Free school meals pilot at Springburn Academy STV News

Following the pilot’s introduction last month, First Minister John Swinney said: “The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year.

“This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country.

“We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil’s learning and achievement in school.

“This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.”