Many families in the borough are struggling to afford the basics, but lots of children who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) are not yet receiving them. 

The benefits of FSM 

• saves time making packed lunches
• your child gets a healthy tasty, cooked meal
• children achieve more when they've had a cooked lunch
• school gets extra funding to help children in their education

Eligibility 

• The Government has expanded the free school meals criteria.

  From the start of the 2026/27 school year, ALL children (in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2) from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal. However, there will be 2 categories of Universal Credit based FSM :

  • Targeted FSM: which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
  • Expanded FSM: a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings above £7,400

    To check if you will be entitled to free school meals from the start of the new academic year, please click on the below link and check your entitlement. It is open for new applications as of June 1st 2026.

    All children in Reception Class and KS1 are already entitled to a free school meal as per the universal infant free school meal scheme. However if you meet the criteria stated, our school will benefit from additional funding. So please do still apply using the link below, if you have any questions or need help filling in the form, please contact the school office.