20th July 2012

ILMINSTER: Linda aims to get rid of 'free meal' stigma in schools

COUNCILLOR Linda Vijeh, the first school governor to hold the post of chair of Somerset Schools Forum, the statutory body that oversees the allocation of funding to all Somerset schools, was re-elected for a second term last week.

Speaking about the role she said: “I am honoured to be able to continue to fight for our children’s educational entitlement.

“However, I cannot stress enough the importance of attracting new members to the forum, particularly school and academy governors, who are under-represented.”

In addition to leading the lobby to Westminster to meet Michael Gove to discuss the inequality of funding for Somerset Schools, Linda kick-started her second term of office by highlighting the need for increased uptake of free school meals across Somerset.

Currently, it is well below 75 per cent of those entitled to the service; having a significant impact on overall funding, with losses of well over £100,000.

Councillor Vijeh commented: “As a free school meal child myself, along with the current headteacher at Neroche School in Broadway, Connel Boyle, and councillor Angie Singleton chair of Area West for SSDC, I felt it was important to show that we are not ashamed of the fact that our families had sufficiently low income to need the help that receiving free school meals provides.

“In addition to attracting valuable funding, those families eligible also attract other benefits, such as free early years provision for two-year-olds, support for music tuition and school trips, as well as free transport at a greater distance than would normally be available.

“It is time to end the stigma and realise that there is no shame in taking advantage of this in such hard economic times.”

For further information about joining Somerset Schools Forum or Free School Meals, contact Linda Vijeh direct on 0797 178 5069 or email [email protected].

PICTURE: FREE FOOD WHY WASTE IT? Councillors Angie Singleton and Linda Vijeh, Mia Hewitt and headtecher Connel Boyle with Neroche School diners