MORE than a quarter of Nottingham schoolchildren are claiming free school meals, new figures have revealed.
Government data shows that 7,335 of 25,101 primary school children and 4,320 of 15,178 secondary school students don't pay for dinners.
This equates to 29.2 per cent and 28.5 percent - more than anywhere else in the East Midlands and well above the national average of 18.1 per cent in primaries and 15.1 per cent in secondaries.
In Notts the figures were 15 per cent and 12.4 per cent respectively.
But head teachers in the city believe many more children don't claim meals even though they are entitled to.
Andrew Sharp, head teacher at Robin Hood Primary in Bestwood, believes there are a number of reasons for that.
He said: "There are more children who should be able to claim free school meals and don't."
Last year in the city, 28 per cent of secondary school students and 29.2 per cent of primary school children claimed free dinners.
The corresponding figures in the county were 12.1 per cent and 15.1 per cent.
Mr Sharp's school has 38 per cent of children receiving free dinners.
However, he feels this would be more like 50 per cent if every child entitled to free dinners took up the offer.
He added: "We are doing a lot of work with our parents to encourage them to take up free school meals if needed."
Schools where children don't use their eligibility for free meals also lose out on pupil premium money.
This is a pot of cash given to schools based on how many children have free dinners.
Jo Bradley, head teacher at Blue Bell Hill Primary in St Ann's, said it is not just the stigma which puts parents off.
She said: "We have about three or four children who are eligible but don't take it up."
Parent George Smith, of Bulwell, who has two children in city schools, doesn't take up their allocation.
He said: "I agree there is a bit of a stigma but the main reason was that my children prefer to take packed lunches."
Councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for children's services at the city council, said it is vital children take up their offer of free school dinners.
"I'm pleased to see the take up is relatively high, because we know children are getting a nutritious hot meal half way through their day," he said.
