Dear parent / carer
Year 11 last day
Following an amazing Year 11 leavers assembly and short signing last week, Year 11s and staff were treated to a free well-deserved ice cream.
HUGGG Vouchers – Reminder they finished after the May2026 school closure
The government-funded Household Support Fund, which was distributed by Councils to support residents in East Sussex, ended nationally on 31 March 2026. This included the holiday supermarket voucher scheme (HUGGG vouchers) for students eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
From 1 April 2026, the government introduced the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. The new fund takes a different approach, with support focused on households experiencing immediate financial hardship or crisis, alongside help to build longer-term financial resilience.
East Sussex County Council took a decision to fund HUGGG vouchers for the April and May school holiday as part of a transition to the new arrangements.
As a result of these national changes to the Fund, the Council will no longer be distributing holiday vouchers to all students solely based on free school meal eligibility. Being eligible for free school meals will not automatically mean a household is entitled to a voucher or payment under the new fund.
Support for families continues to be available, but it will be assessed based on individual household circumstances and need. Families can find out more about support available through these links:
Families eligible for free school meals can get free activities and food through Holiday food and fun.
The Cash for Kids Holiday Hunger Grants scheme supports children and young people (up to 18 years old) facing food insecurity during the school holidays. Schools can apply and projects must focus on outcomes that encourage children to eat more healthily and be more active during the school holidays. Please see the Grant Application - Cash for Kids.
