Rise in pupils entitled to free school meals

This figure is up from 15.5% last year. And in secondary schools, 13.4% of children are eligible and in special schools, 12.1% are. Data from the government found that in total, there are now 17,370 more pupils on free school meals than last year. These meals are free to families where parents receive benefits, or earn less than £15,575 a year. Meanwhile the proportion of children in primary schools from ethnic minorities has risen to 24.5%, from 23.3% last year. The statistics - which are for the year to January - show the first rise in four years.