Q: I have a query on the school workforce census?
A: The school workforce census is undertaken annually in November. Please refer to the guidance for the school workforce census.
Q: Who is eligible for free school meals?
A: Children whose parents are in receipt of the following are entitled to receive free school meals:
- Income support
- Income based job seekers allowance
- An income related employment and support allowance
support under part Vi of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - Child tax credit (provided they are not entitled to working tax credit) and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that as of 6 April 2011 does not exceed £16,190
- Guarantee element of state Pension credit
- Children who receive income support or income-based jobseekers allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.
For further information please email: freeschoolmeals@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Q: What figure should I include for free school meals taken?
A: Schools are reminded that free school meals taken should reflect what occurred on census day, unless the lunchtime situation that day was abnormal, in which case the figure should be based on the next normal day.
Q: What code should I use as a first language code?
A: A first language other than English should be recorded where a child was exposed to the language during early development and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or community.
If a child was exposed to more than one language (which may include English) during early development the language other than English should be recorded, irrespective of the child’s proficiency in English. In the case of an older pupil who is no longer exposed to the first language in the home, and who now uses only another language, the school should consult with the pupil or parent to determine which language should be recorded.
Q: What qualifies as a service child?
A: This data item indicates if a child has a parent or parents who are service personnel serving in regular HM Forces military units of all forces, or in the armed forces of another nation and stationed in England.
The parent must be designated as personnel category 1 or 2 which are shown on the Military of Defence website, however all parents will be aware of their personnel category.
Schools are advised that the child must be with the parent who is exercising parental care and responsibility.
If the parents are separated, the pupil is only a service child if they are living with the parent who is in the armed forces.
Q: What do we do if lots of pupils and staff are not in school for census day?
A: If unusual circumstances impact on census day, for example, severe weather conditions or religious observances and any census figures, for example, ‘school meals taken’ are affected then a day and time when the situation can be regarded as normal should be selected.
Schools may interpret this literally as the next normal day or as an earlier day in the census week.