Admissions Offer Information – Finance

Payments

All payments apart from Transport should be made via ParentPay. Further information and details regarding ParentPay, including log-in details, will be communicated before the end of June.

To spread the cost of the transport and aid family finances, the transport will be payable by direct debit in ten instalments each year commencing in May 2024. A form to collect direct debit details will follow shortly by email. If you would prefer to pay in full at the onset, this will be possible.

Free School Meals

Your son/daughter may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

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

More information regarding criteria required for free school meal eligibility can be found at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Educational-awards-benefits/FreeSchoolMeals/Q001.aspx

If you think you may be entitled to free school meals for your son/daughter, or they currently receive free school meals in a county other than Staffordshire, you will need to apply directly to Staffordshire County Council (regardless of where you live) to receive free school meals at The JCB Academy. You can apply online at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Educational-awards-benefits/FreeSchoolMeals/Apply-online.aspx or contact them on 0300 111 8007.

For any queries regarding free school meal claims please contact 0300 111 8007 or email freeschoolmeals@staffordshire.gov.uk (Their offices remain open during school holidays).

It’s really important that you make this application for free school meals as, if successful, you will also be eligible to apply for financial assistance from The JCB Academy which helps with the costs of academy transport, laptop and compulsory external trips.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to support the cost of transport up to a maximum sum of £500. You may be eligible for financial assistance where the total household income (including benefits) is below £27,500; this threshold is reviewed annually. The financial assistance is means tested and applications are submitted directly to The JCB Academy.

Financial assistance applications for the coming academic year, 2024-2025, will be accepted from 1 April 2024, at which point the updated application form will be available to download from our website. Before the start of each academic year you must reapply for financial assistance and notify us of any changes in financial circumstances during the academic year. For further information on the financial assistance, please visit https://jcbacademy.com/financial-support-parents-academy/. The cut-off date for Financial Assistance applications is 31 August 2024. Applications after this date will not be processed.