One in five pupils eligible
Almost one in five school pupils in the Isle of Man are entitled to free school meals.
The figure has been revealed in a response to a Tynwald question for written answer from Garff MHK Daphne Caine.
The combined figure for all state primary and secondary schools in the Isle of Man stands at 18%, but there are large fluctuations within that.
At one end of the spectrum, three Island primaries have around half of their pupils receiving free meals: Anagh Coar (49%), Jurby (55%) and Manor Park (51%).
At the other end, five schools have percentages in single figures: Kewaigue (7%), Marown (3%), Scoill Vallajeelt (4%), St Thomas' (5%), and Sulby (8).
Of the Island's high schools, Ballakermeen (17%) and Castle Rushen High School (20) are a few percentage points higher than the other three, which are all quite similar: QEII (11%), Ramsey Grammar School (12%), and St Ninian's (13%).
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