Horsham primary school set for hot meals

Kingslea Primary School is one of eight in West Sussex that have been granted additional funding to allow them to serve hot meals every day.

This comes as part of the government’s commitment to Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM), which was introduced in September 2014.

Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for education and skills, said: “We are very happy these schools have been successful in receiving money as part of this scheme.”

The funding will allow the schools to meet the government’s requirement for schools to be able to serve hot meals to pupils.

Depending on the school’s situation it will be used for building works to expand existing dining areas or to install new kitchen equipment.

However, not all primary schools were successful in their bid for additional funding; nine schools were turned down by the government.

Mr Hunt added: “While we are happy for those schools who will receive money, that is tempered by the news that several other schools in West Sussex were not successful.”

The council will continue to find ways to fund the nine unsuccessful schools in order to help them manage the lunchtime arrangements.