Start of Summer Term 2026 and Cost of Living Support

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25 March 2026

Dear Parent/Carer,

Start of Summer Term 2026 and Cost of Living Support

We are all grateful to all parents/carers for the support this term. It is so pleasing that we have:

Maintained high attendance (well above the national average)
Embedded high-quality teaching and learning throughout
Continued our extensive extra-curricular programme, particularly with after-school clubs.

Stand-out events have been the Whole School Production as well as the Year 11 Raising Standards Evening. Please skim and scan our online newsletter for examples of all the outstanding work that has taken place in the Spring Term.

End of Spring Term 2026

As a reminder, the Spring Term ends on Friday 27 March. Students will be dismissed at 12.30pm.

Start of Spring Term 2026

The Summer Term starts on Tuesday 14 April; this is for all students.

If You Are Struggling with Your Finances

Given the current geo-political tensions, we know everyone is feeling the pinch this spring. Therefore, we want to support those families in our school community who are impacted the most. If you are struggling with your finances, please do get in touch to let us know, as there may be things that we can suggest which will help. We want to do everything we can to help you and your child through what is likely to be a difficult Summer Term.

Below are some resources, help and support – check what is available to you and your family as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

Contact Your Local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or Family Services

Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

You do not have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local CAB; you just need to be a resident of the local area. The CAB can help you with:

Getting benefits or other financial support organised
Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)

Visit the Citizens Advice Bureau’s website or contact your local branch to book an appointment:

Feltham Citizens Advice

2nd Floor, The Centre High Street, Feltham

TW13 4GU 0808 278 7830

Brentford & Chiswick Citizens Advice Town Hall

Heathfield Terrace Chiswick

W4 4JN 0808 278 7830

Hounslow Family Services Directory

Hounslow’s Family Service Directory is information and support for families with children and young people and will enable you to access the support you may need.

Check You Are Paying the Right Amount of Tax

If you are in work, it is important to make sure you are on the right tax code. If you are not, you might be due a refund. Use the MoneySavingExpert’s free tax code calculator.

Claim Any Benefits to Which You Are Entitled

Use one of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming:

Turn2us
Policy in Practice
Support for migrant families – use this calculator if you are a migrant family, or if you have no recourse to public funds

You may be able to get benefits paid early if you are already feeling the squeeze - this is known as ‘a short-term benefit advance’ - you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) universal credit line on 0800 328 5644.

Check You Have Received All the Government’s Cost of Living Payments

The government’s cost of living payment is available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You do not need to apply for these – if you are eligible, the money should go straight into your account. If you think you are due a payment, but have not received one – report a missing payment to the government.

Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost of living scams from the MoneySavingExpert.

Find Out What Help You Can Get with Your Energy Bills

If you get benefits, you may be eligible to get £150 off your electricity bill or £150 added to your prepayment meter through the warm home discount scheme.

You do not need to apply for the scheme payments are usually automatic but the best way to find out is to speak to your energy supplier.

In some circumstances, people who are unable to afford to top up their pre-payment meters may be able to get a fuel voucher. You must be referred to the Fuel Bank Foundation to receive this voucher. If you are unable to top up your pre-payment meter, speak to somebody at school, and they will organise for you to be referred.

If you are in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off. The below energy suppliers offer grants to eligible customers.

The British Gas Energy Support Fund
Scottish Power Hardship Fund
Ovo Energy Fund
E.ON Energy Fund
E.ON Next Energy Fund
EDF Energy Customer Support Fund
BULB Energy Fund
Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’
Shell Energy Support Fund

If your supplier is not listed, you can contact them directly to see if there is any support that they can offer. If you are unable to get a grant from your supplier, look at the British Gas Energy Trust website. They make grants available to anyone – you do not have to be a British Gas customer.

Let Us Know If Your Child Is Entitled to Free School Meals (FSM)

If you claim one of the following benefits, then your child is eligible for free school meals (FSM):

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit and have an annual income of no more than £7,400
Child Tax Credit, but not entitled to a Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) of no more than £16,190
Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
or are being supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)

If you claim one of the above benefits and your child is not getting FSM, you can apply on the London Borough of Hounslow's (LBH) website.

See What Other Support You Can Get from Your Local Authority

The London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) has several things in place to support everyone through the current cost of living crisis.

Help for School Uniform Costs

Parents/carers can apply for help with school uniform costs. The School Clothing Grant is available to primary pupils from Reception to Year 6 and secondary pupils in Years 7 and 9. The grant amount for secondary pupils is £60 and for primary pupils is £15. Learn more and apply at the above link.

Household Support Grant

LBH currently has funding for the Household Support Grant. This provides households with payments to help with essentials such as food and utilities. The funding is available until March 2026 and to qualify:

You do not need to be in receipt of benefits. This grant is available to anyone who is on a low income.
You will need to provide proof of your utility bills showing that you are in arrears with your payments.
If you are struggling to pay for food, you need to explain why you are unable to manage on the income you have.

You can apply for the Household Support Grant at the link above.

Discretionary Local Crisis Payments

LBH also offer Discretionary Local Crisis Payments (DLCP). This scheme is in place to:

Help households to establish themselves in the community following a stay in institutional or residential care.
Help households remain in the community instead of entering institutional or residential care.
Ease exceptional pressures and stress on households.
Avoid serious risk to health and safety where it may be prevented.

If you have any queries, you can call 0208 583 2000. You can apply at the link above.

Further Advice

The LBH website offers more advice, such as:

Help with food costs
Help with childcare costs and other support
Help with energy costs
Housing support
Help with transport costs
Advice on managing money

Get Free or Low-Cost Food

If you are worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you are not alone. There are several places across the borough offering support.

If you have a child under 4, and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Healthy Start Food Vouchers.
There are foodbanks across the borough - if you are running low on money or food, we are happy to make a referral for you. Just speak to a member of staff who will organise this for you.

Asda Café are offering the following:
- o free Ella Baby products
- o 10% off for over 60s
- o Free water refills
Food waste apps and websites like:
- o Olio (for free food and household items from your local community)
- o Too Good to Go (for low-cost food from local restaurants)
- o Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best before date but is still safe to consume).

Further Information

Contact StepChange, if you are struggling with debt.
Contact Shelter if you have issues related to housing.
Contact End Furniture Poverty for help with furniture.
Get free household goods on Freecycle.
See if you are eligible for grants from Turn2us.
Single parents can get support from Gingerbread.
Apply to Family Fund for grants if you are raising a disabled or seriously ill child and need support with essential items.
Get referred to the BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme by a professional for items that meet a child’s basic needs (speak to a member of staff if you feel you may need a referral).
Get referred to Glasspool Charity Trust by a professional for grants for essential household items and clothing for individuals, couples and families (speak to a member of staff if you feel you may need a referral).

Finally, we wish everyone a joyful, restful and safe holiday break.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Fisher and Jo Higginbottom
Co-Headteachers