Household Support
There are many sources of support available to families, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start looking. A fantastic starting point is the Family Information Service (FIS). If you are going through something and are not sure what support might be available to you, they are an excellent team to contact; in school we can also make a referral to them for you if you would prefer.
During the school holidays if you need a referral to the Stratford Uniform Bank or Foodbank please contact either FIS 01926 742 274 or Citizens Advice South Warwickshire 0300 330 1183, both are referral agents and will be able to help you whilst the school is closed.
Warwickshire Family Information Service (FIS)
The Family Information Service (FIS) is a helpful, friendly service which supports families with a wide range of needs including childcare, finance, housing, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and family relationships. Not sure who can help? Give the team a call, and they can offer advice and support.
They are available every Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) 9am to 5pm by phone 0800 408 1558 or email fis@warwickshire.gov.uk. You can also message on Facebook WarwickshireFIS.
Remember FIS are available when school is closed over the summer break, so please don't hesitate to contact them if you need any sort of support.
FIS send out a weekly newsletter full of useful links to advice and support. To view previous copies of the newsletter or sign up to receive them in your inbox, click here.
There is also a lot of information available on the FIS website.
Alternatively, you can ask school to refer you to the service. To request a referral by school, please either speak to your child's college leader or our pastoral support manager.
Young Carers - Caring Together Warwickshire
If your child is a Young Carer, or you think they might be, complete this referral form (if they are not already registered).
Please ensure you make it clear on the form that they attend this school so the team at Caring Together Warwickshire know which school to contact to arrange support.
The Young Carers' Advocate in our school is Miss Wilcox, hwilcox@statfordschool.co.uk
Free School Meals (FSM)
For the new school year starting in September 2026, there will be two categories of free school meal eligibility depending on your financial circumstances:
- Targeted free school meals for those getting Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, or another qualifying benefit
- Expanded free school meals for anyone getting Universal credit whose annual earnings are above £7,400.
Students in both categories will benefit from the financial saving of getting free school lunch.
Students who fall into the targeted category will get access to additional benefits:
- Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme is for children aged 4 to 16 in reception to year 11 in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in the targeted category. HAF offers eligible pupils access to activities and at least one healthy meal is provided during each session. The activities take place during the Easter, summer, and Christmas school holidays
- Pupil premium is extra funding paid directly to schools for each pupil who is eligible for free school meals in the Targeted category. It can help to fund valuable teaching and learning support to improve pupil’s education.
Students in receipt of FSM receive their lunch in exactly the same way as all other students, using the biometric system, therefore no other students know who is receiving FSM. The allowance is available to spend at lunchtime only; this helps to ensure that all students have an opportunity to partake in a hot and healthy meal instead of a snack at break time. The current allowance is £3.90 per student per day and any remaining balance cannot be rolled over to the next day. Parents/carers can add extra money via ParentMail if they wish, e.g. for a snack at breaktime or additional spending at lunch.
The easiest way to apply for free school meals is online through the Warwickshire parent portal. There is also a helpline available if you are unable to access the portal 01926 359 189.
Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank
Anyone can reach crisis point and the Foodbank are here to help when that happens. The Foodbank work using a referral system. The school is a referral agent during term time. If you need a referral, please speak to your child's college leader or our pastoral support manager in confidence. All requests will be dealt with confidentially and your child will not be informed of the request.
Outside of term time please contact FIS 01926 742 274 or Citizens Advice South Warwickshire 0300 330 1183, both are referral agents and will be able to help you whilst the school is closed.
In an emergency, if you are unable to reach FIS or Citizens Advice, you can contact the foodbank direct: help.suafoodbank@gmail.com or by calling 07736 929029
Financial Assistance from School
Please visit our Financial Assistance page.
Preventing Homelessness, Improving Lives p.h.i.l
