53 Provision of school meals.S
(1)An education authority—
(a)may provide milk, meals or other refreshment for pupils in attendance at public schools and other educational establishments under their management [F1and may do so either on the premises or at any place other than the school premises where education is being provided]; and
(b)shall provide such facilities as the authority consider appropriate for the consumption of any meals or other refreshment brought to the school or other educational establishment by such pupils.
[F2(2)Subject to subsection (3) below, an authority must charge for anything provided by them under subsection (1)(a) above and must charge every pupil the same price for the same quantity of the same item.
(3)In relation to a pupil whose parents are in receipt of income support [F3or of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance (payable under the Jobseekers Act 1995)] or who is himself in receipt of [F4that benefit] an authority shall so exercise the power conferred by subsection (1)(a) above as to ensure that such provision is made for him in the middle of the day as appears to the authority to be requisite and shall make that provision for him free of charge.]
[F5(3A)Subsections (1) to (3) above apply in relation to pupils in attendance at a self-governing school and the board of management of that school as they apply in relation to pupils in attendance at a public school and the education authority under whose management the public school is.]
(4)For the purposes of this section, a pupil for whom an education authority have made special arrangements under section 14 of this Act may, at the discretion of the authority, be deemed to be in attendance at a public school under their management.
Textual Amendments
F1Words inserted by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), s. 77(1)(b)
F2S. 53(2)(3) substituted by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), s. 77(2)
F3Words in s. 53(3) inserted (7.10.1996) by 1995 c. 18, s. 41(4), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.I. 1996/2208, art. 2(b).
F4Words in s. 53(3) substituted (7.10.1996) by 1995 c. 18, s. 41(4), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.I. 1996/2208, art. 2(b).