THE youngest children in primary schools have taken up the offer of free school meals with gusto after the new government scheme was introduced in September.

In 2013 Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced that all children in Years 1, 2 and Reception class around the country would be entitled to receive free school meals from last September, which could realise parents an annual saving of £400 a year for each child as well as ensuring their children received adequate nutrition to study.

In Swindon, many primary schools expanding their kitchens to meet the expected demands.

Across the White Horse Federation of schools – which include Mountford Manor, Drove, Croft, Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney primary schools – more than 90 per cent of children took up the offer of free school meals.

A spokesman for the White Horse Federation said: “The White Horse Federation has seen a huge uptake in UIFSM (universal infant free school meals) since its implementation in September, thankfully due to the beneficial improvements made to kitchens during the summer holidays ensured that we are able to cope with this increase in demand.

“At a number of our schools the uptake has been very successful. At The Croft Primary school, where currently children on roll are in years Reception and KS1, the uptake is over 90 per cent.

“At Mountford Manor Primary School kitchen staff are enjoying the challenges that UIFSM brings, happy in the knowledge that the children they are feeding are enjoying a tasty, nutritious and sustaining meal each day.”

At the end of April, Mountford Manor Primary School was awarded Academy Capital Maintenance Funding (ACMF) of £60,508 by the Education Funding Agency to refurb its 1950s kitchen.

Rachel Skates, principal at Mountford Manor, said: “We have noticed better concentration levels during the afternoon with these children and have received very positive reports from both parents and teachers on how well received Universal Free School Meals have been at Mountford Manor.”

Candida Hutchinson, principal at The Croft, was also pleased: “Everybody sitting down together to eat is a great social experience. The children enjoy being celebrated when a member of dinner staff praises them for a clear plate.”