Transitional Protection of Free School Meals (Wales) #2

This has been taken from our news feed to LSUs and Schools.

https://customer.support-ess.com/csm?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0052280

Updated 03 Jan 15:50 Q&A 

We have recorded the responses to a number of questions below.  These may be of benefit to Technical Integrators but please contact us if further information is needed.

Responses Provided

Question 7: Will the phasing out of Transition Protection have an impact on CTF?

Answer: We will be contacting the WG to find out what implications the phasing out of Transitional Protection will have for the CTF specification. For example, should CTF Import be modified so that it does not allow Transition Protection to be imported for a pupil joining year 7.

Question 6: Can a school have pupils on roll with Transitional Protection who were not on roll with Transitional Protection at the end of calendar year 2023?

Answer: Yes, but only if this has occurred because of a previous mistake or by the pupil joining from another school at the same phase of learning, e.g. a pupil joined a primary phase school from another primary phase school where they were subject to Transitional Protection.

Question 5: If a pupil was subject to Transitional Protection at the end of calendar year 2023 when on roll at an all through phase school, will their Transitional Protection end when they leave that all through phase school?

Answer: Not necessarily, as it will be subject to a 'notional' version of the rules that apply to primary and secondary phase schools. I understand that this will also be true for other phase schools that 'straddle' the primary and secondary phases.

Question 4: If a pupil was subject to Transitional Protection at the end of calendar year 2023 when on roll at a secondary phase school, will their Transitional Protection end when they leave that secondary phase school?

Answer: Not necessarily, as I will only end on leaving a secondary phase school for their next phase of learning or employment, e.g. leaving a secondary phase school at the end of Year 13 to start university.

Question 3: If a pupil was subject to Transitional Protection at the end of calendar year 2023 when on roll at a primary phase school, will their Transitional Protection end when they leave that primary phase school?

Answer: Not necessarily, as I will only end on leaving a primary phase school for their next phase of learning, e.g. leaving a primary phase school at the end of Year 6 to start their secondary phase learning.

Question 2: If a pupil was NOT subject to Transitional Protection FSM at the end of calendar year 2023 and becomes eFSM (Eligible for 'means tested' Free School Meals) at any date after the end of calendar year 2023 will they be subject to Transitional Protection?

Answer: No, Transitional Protection cannot start after the end of calendar year 2023.

Question 1: If a pupil was subject to Transitional Protection at the end of calendar year 2023, will they continue to be subject to Transitional Protection at the start of calendar year 2024?

Answer: Yes, Transitional Protection can only be 'lost' at the end of a school year in July.