Free School Meals
Notice
Free school meals are changing in 2026
From September 2026 the Department for Education is introducing new benefit criteria which will mean that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal.
Transitional protection is ending too
If your child currently gets a free school meal because they have been protected under transitional protection rules but you no longer eceive Universal Credit, then their entitlement will end in August 2026. From then on, only families in receipt of Universal Credit will qualify.
Although it is too soon to apply now, please note that new guidance will be published shortly.
Free Meals Funding
Many of you may not be aware that the government funding for schools has changed recently, and that a percentage of our school budget – Pupil Premium funding – is now calculated according to how many of our pupils are, or have ever been, eligible for free school meals, during their school life.
This change is having a major impact on the funding we receive towards educating our pupils. By ensuring that as many eligible families as possible have applied to the local authority for free school meals, we will receive our maximum Pupil Premium funding which enables us to provide the best education for our pupils.
We Understand
We know that sometimes, eligible families are reluctant to make a claim, often because:
- they feel that their child may be treated differently at lunchtime
- their child would prefer to have a packed lunch
- they may only fall into the eligible category for a short period of time, due to temporary changes in their financial circumstances
- their child already receives Universal Free school meal, however you can still apply
Check Your Eligibility
We would like to reassure you that those children who are eligible for free school meals are treated in exactly the same way at lunchtime. In addition, those children who would prefer a packed lunch from home may continue to do so – school still receives the funding and likewise if your child receives a UFSM you can still claim.
Furthermore, funding is now based on children who have ever been eligible, even if this was for a short time.
Please click here to check your eligibility.
Should you require further support accessing food and supplies, please consult this document for services which are available.
