Financial Assistance

Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website. https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, your child will qualify for free school meals if you get Universal Credit, regardless of household income.

We can provide financial assistance for:

• Laptop purchase
• Uniform costs
• Academy transport
• Compulsory academy trips
• Inclusive places on extra-curricular activities

Support may be full or partial, depending on eligibility.

You may qualify for financial assistance if:

• Your child is entitled to free academy meals, or
• Your household income (excluding disability-related benefits) is £27,500 or below.

Evidence required may include:

• Free academy Meal entitlement
• Household income documents such as: 
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Full Tax Credit statement
  • State Pension Credit
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999.
  • Latest P60 or three recent payslips
  • Self-employed earnings evidence
  • Disability-related benefits
  • Other income sources (e.g., savings interest, pension, maintenance agreements)

If you have special circumstances (e.g., multiple academy-aged children), please include a covering letter with your application.

Applications should be sent to the Finance Team:

• Email: finance@jcbacademy.com

• Post: The JCB Academy, Mill Street, Rocester, Staffordshire ST14 5JX

Parents/carers who are not eligible for financial assistance may request extended payment terms by contacting the Finance Team.

Please note:

• Each case is considered individually
• Financial assistance is at the Principal’s discretion
• You may be asked to meet with the Principal to discuss your application
• Check our Financial Assistance Policy for full criteria

• New learners are those who are not yet enrolled at The JCB Academy and are currently going through the application process for the next intake.
• Depending on your criteria, you can apply for either full support or partial support from The JCB Academy.
• Please view our Financial Assistance Policy to confirm what criteria you meet.
• Deadline for applications: 15th July.

• Current learners are learners who are already enrolled at The JCB Academy
• Parents/carers can apply for financial assistance in relation to laptop, uniform, school transport and compulsory school trips if:
  • A learner is in receipt of Free School Meals.
    or
  • The total household income including benefits (but excluding any disability-related benefit) is £27,500 or below

  Parents/carers should complete an application and ensure you include all required evidence and any special circumstances when submitting your application.

  Parents/carers who are not eligible for financial assistance may request extended payment terms by contacting the Finance Team by emailing finance@jcbacademy.com

If you have any questions or need confidential advice, please contact our Finance Team at finance@jcbacademy.com. We’re here to help.