FAQs

This project is a part of the Oasis Student Union’s first campaign, which is about the rising prices of school meals, and how we, as a union, believe that inflation on food should not affect school children. Over the past few months, food prices outside of the school environment have increased exponentially, and we understand that we are in a financially dire time, where cost of living and food prices are rising without a foreseeable end. We, as a union, also understand that it is now more expensive than ever to source the produce that is used in these school meals. However, we believe that rising school meal prices are only adding to the financial strife and worry of many families and students in this extremely economically difficult time. We believe that the prices of these school meals should be reduced to make them more affordable to students, to alleviate at least some worry for the parents who may be struggling at this time. We believe that this is a crucial part in allowing students to focus primarily on their education, by removing the worry of whether they will be able to afford lunch that day. This is extremely important to the health and financial wellbeing of students and parents alike. 

To put it simply, the “Red Slip” system is a system that Oasis uses when a student cannot afford to pay for a school meal. The cafeteria will offer a red slip to a student which essentially means that the student will owe the school the money for the meal that they could not afford. The big question that comes with this is, what is this teaching young people about money? It’s encouraging young people to take loans and owe money. It would be more justifiable if this system was used for older students who work and have their own source of income, as it would be easier for these students to pay it back. But, this system is being used with students from Year 7, all the way up to Year 13, with the majority of these students not even being old enough to work. The system has a good intention, of making sure that no child goes hungry, but, we should not be encouraging young people to owe their school money, as this does not teach a positive lesson for the future. 

Free School Meals being offered to students who come from less advantaged families is an amazing initiative. It alleviates financial pressure from these families as they do not have to worry about paying the high prices for their child’s, or children’s, school meals. However, the Free School Meal plan, has very specific requirements to be able to qualify for these meals. For example, household income, after tax, must be below £7,400. 20.8% of all Students in the UK are thought to be eligible for Free School Meals. However, what about the demographic of students that fall just outside of these requirements? There is a large group of students that aren’t deemed as ”eligible” for free school meals, but do, in fact, need them, as their family may be experiencing financial problems. But, as they do not qualify, they do not receive this help that they need. And especially, in a time like this, these families are struggling the most, as they have to worry about their child’s school meals, as well as everything else that is posing an economic problem at this current time. Therefore, it is essential that we make School Meals more accessible and affordable to those who aren’t “eligible” for free school Meals. 

It’s very easy to help make school meals more affordable and that’s to make your voice heard. The best way to do this would be join a student union. Now, more than ever, it is important to make your voice heard as a student. When it comes to your school and education you need to make sure that what you want to say is heard. You can do this by joining a student union, or filling out surveys, anything that will allow your voice to be heard.