Primary School asking for Parent's National Insurance Nos

[Mrs TP]

We have had a pupil detail form sent home from school, which asks for all the usual stuff; child's full name, DOB, emergency contacts etc

Just turned to the parent detail page and it is asking for our National Insurance numbers and saying they are needed for the Dept of Education School Census and to determine whether or not our child is eligible for the Pupil Premium (a payment to the school) and free school meals.

I am really uncomfortable with disclosing this info. You are always told to keep your NI secure and only release it to an employer.

What do others think?

[Jessie]

I agree, it makes me feel uncomfortable too. Feels v obtrusive.

[Pickle]

When I filled out the form relating to school dinners it only required the NI number if you were applying for free school meals ( beyond the years that they are free for regardless in Southwark). I guess so they can check that You are actually eligible

[Pickle]

Sorry, phone typing! I'm sure you could leave it blank if you are uncomfortable with it. The only time that info has been requested by my kids school was on the council produced lunch form, not in the general info form, so I don't think it's essential.

[nunheadmum]

We'd to fill it in for free school meals which now all kids up to Yr 4 are getting. I agree it seemed a little strange as it's not in any way means tested. Probably something to do with monitoring, I suspect. Trusting the school to deal appropriately with the info.

[Coach Beth]

It's confusing but it's because the government gives every school ?600 pupil premimum for each student who is from a family which is on state benefits. They work this out by giving each school the money based on the number of pupils who receive the means tested free lunch. An unintended consquence of Southwarks free school meals policy for all is that parents who receive benefits are not filling in the forms for their child to receive a free school lunch since they don't need to any more. On that form, parents needed to put their N1 number which would show that the family was eligble for school meals and the school would also be eligble to claim the ?600 pupil premimum.

The result of parents who previously would have filled in the form to claim free school lunchs not doing so in Southwark has meant that many schools are seeing a drastic reduction in the amount of money they get receive which goes towards educational interventions to help disadvantaged children. For instance, in a school of 400 pupils, if 10% of those children used to receive the means tested school lunches the school should get a pupil premium grant of ?24,000 for the year. Which is the salary for a TA for the year for example. Schools are now having to find other ways to collect the information they need to provide the government with proof that they do have right to claim the pupil premium. It's a bit of a nightmare for Headteachers and Governing bodies, that is for sure as in these tough times schools can't afford to lose out on such a substative sum of money. This year it is more noticable than last year as the scheme was expanded to all children from reception to year 4 - it will become worse when it expands to all year groups.

[Jessie]

Thanks coach Beth, nice to have that explained so clearly

[Mrs TP]

Thanks to all who responded and esp to Coach Beth for the fuller description. I understand now why they are asking for it but really they only need it if you receive state benefits. Admin nightmare.