Hi my name is Julie I am a second year student at West Herts College studying for a Foundation Degree in Business with Finance. Part of my course involves a work based learning project. My project is based on looking into the possibility of introducing a cashless payment system at a local first school. One of the aims of the project is to reduce the social stigma attached to receiving free school meals.

I would really appreciate your views on whether or not you feel there is a social stigma attached to receiving free school meals and if you do feel there is whether you think the introduction of a cashless payment system would help reduce this problem.

It would be good to get the views of a variety of people including those who have experienced this problem themselves. I myself am a single parent of three children so I have firsthand experience of exactly how it feels to be singled out.

I wouldn't say there is here. Around 20% of primary school kids and 17% of secondary school kids are registered for free school meals in Scotland. That's too many kids for anyone to attach a stigma to!

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Not anymore. When I was in senior school in the early 90's, people used to look down on those who got free school meals and I remb kids sneaking into the reception office to collect their lunch tickets. Now, it's an every day thing and not a problem.

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As a teacher I know most of the kids I have taught over the years have got free meals and there is no stigma attached
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No Stigma my end either. The parents who pay for school meals take their childs dinner money to the office so really no one knows who pays and who doesn't.

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