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Free School Meals
In these challenging times we are aware that a lot of families situations may have changed. If this effects your family your child may be entitled to Free School Meals. If you are in receipt of certain benefits, please check on this website to see if you’re eligible:
Click here to check your Current eligibility for Free School Meals
Current Free School Meals Entitlement
You can apply for Free School Meals if you are entitled to receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Job Seekers Allowance – Income Based
- Employment and Support Allowance – Income Related
- Support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income that does not exceed £16,190
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get).
- Working Tax Credit run on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
To apply for Free School Meals, simply click here and complete the simple online form. Please note that you will need your National Insurance Number available when completing the form.
NEW FROM SEPTEMBER 2026
Starting in September 2026 there are some changes to the eligibility to Free School Meals.
The government recognises the benefits of providing a healthy school meal to the most disadvantaged pupils.
In the past, families have kept their eligibility to FSM even if their circumstances changed. This is no longer going to be the case and eligibility will have to be verified every year to ensure continued access to FSM. Please see below how to apply/reapply for FSM
Any families who receive Universal Credit (regardless of income) will now be eligible for FSM.
Going forward there will be two categories of FSM.
- Targeted FSM - families that are eligible for FSM due to any of the reasons listed below will be eligible for FSM and the school will receive the Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) to support the child's education.
- Income Support
- Job Seekers Allowance – Income Based
- Employment and Support Allowance – Income Related
- Support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income that does not exceed £16,190
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get).
-
Working Tax Credit run on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
- Expanded FSM - families that are eligible for Universal Credit, regardless of income will be eligible for FSM, in this instance the school will not receive the PPG
To apply for Free School Meals, simply click here and complete the simple online form. Please note that you will need your National Insurance Number available when completing the form.
If you need any help or confidential advice on its completion, please contact us either by telephone or email at:
