Norwich deputy head admits defrauding free school meals

Daniel Reynolds, 36, created false invoices for food provided to disadvantaged pupils even though it had not been bought but had instead been given free of charge by local organisations.

Demand for free school meals rose sharply during the pandemic and the scheme was extended into the holidays following a high profile campaign spearheaded by footballer Marcus Rashford. 

Reynolds created false invoices for food in school holiday free school meals despite it having been donated (Image: PA)

READ MORE: Demand for free school meals 'rises sharply' in pandemic

READ MORE: Record number of Norfolk children receive free school meals

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told Reynolds was the deputy head at West Earlham Junior School in Norwich when he was made responsible for applying for and administering a government grant to Norfolk County Council.

Prosecutor Josephine Jones said the scheme was aimed at providing activities - including free meals - during the holidays.

She said: “He managed to obtain free meals from a number of local organisations but that did not stop him invoicing for them. 

“Equally he charged parents whose children were not entitled to free school meals for food even though that food had all been obtained without charge.

Daniel Reynolds will be sentenced next year after he pleaded guilty to fraud (Image: Newsquest)

“He falsified documents including invoices in order to reclaim that money from the county council but that was money that need not have been spent in the first place because what had been given was by way of donations.”

The court was told the holiday activities had been held in the 2021 summer holidays, the Christmas break and into 2022 when Covid meant “education was very much an issue”. 

Ms Jones said his scam had involved tens of thousands of pounds and was at the time when he was “in a position of trust which he abused”.

As part of his role at the school Reynolds, of Avocet Rise in Norwich, was involved in launching its own on-site food bank.

At the time, he said: “We have children in our classrooms living on the breadline. So many families are struggling, especially with energy prices increasing.”

READ MORE: Why this city school has set up its own food bank to feed families

Reynolds was dismissed from the school in October 2022 when his scam came to light following police and county council investigations. 

Appearing at court he spoke only to plead guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation and creating false receipts and documentation. 

Daniel Reynolds was deputy head at West Earlham Junior School until he was dismissed in October 2022 (Image: Google)

Magistrates approved an application for his sentencing to be moved to Norwich Crown Court saying their powers were insufficient. The sentence for fraud by false representation is up to 10 years in prison.

Hannah Sampson, for Reynolds, said: “The guidelines are very clear in terms of culpability because of his role as a deputy head and the figures involved put this matter outside the sentencing powers of the magistrates.” 

Reynolds, who will be sentenced on January 8, was told “all options” were open including prison. 

A Norfolk County Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to see that justice has been done in this case. This is down to the diligence of our finance and audit teams, who uncovered and investigated this fraud and reported the matter to the police.

"Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) funding is aimed at providing food and activities for children eligible for free school meals in the school holidays, so it is particularly disappointing that a deputy headteacher would try to defraud the programme.

"We carry out regular scrutiny and auditing of school budgets, and of our providers. This is the first time that we have encountered fraud relating to HAF activities.

"We will continue to closely monitor the programme to ensure that public money is properly spent.”