Free Schools Meals changed from September 2026

Please take a few minutes to check whether your family is eligible and whether you need to re-apply for the 2026/27 school year. Applying could save your family up to £500 per child each year.

From 1st September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings. 

Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility: 

  • Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less.  The school is able to claim Pupil Premium funding for this group, so in additional to free schools meals, these pupils receive help with chargeable school trips and musical instrument tuition.  Details of this help can be found in section 5 of the Trust’s Charging Policy.  
  • Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400.  These pupils receive free school meals.  

End of transitional protections 

Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals, even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. Now that entitlement is being expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections have ended. 

This means, from 1st September 2026: 

  • Some children may no longer be eligible for free school meals if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit. 
  • Eligibility will now be based on current benefit status. 

In summary, free school meals are available at our school but only to families that are eligible.   if your child does not currently receive free school meals you may now be eligible under the expanded criteria, but you will need to apply through your local authority.  You are strongly advised to check whether you are eligible and register if you are.

The free school meal allowance (Targeted FSM & Expanded FSM) provides £3.00 of credit per day which is enough for one of the main hot meals or a baguette sandwich.  You might have reservations about registering for free school meals even if you are eligible.  However, please be assured that our cashless electronic system preserves the confidentiality of those registered for free school meals.  Furthermore, vegetarian options are always provided, and all meat is halal. 

 

To find out if you are eligible and to register, please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Please email Student Services if you still have a query.

 

How do I access my FSM?

It is automatically added to your till account each day. You select your food and pay by biometric scan the same as all students using the café. You will not be identified as being on FSM.

How much is the allowance?

£3 per day.

When can it be used in the café?

Yr7-11 at break or lunch. Yr12-13 from 9am until café closes.

What about before school?

The café provide free porridge. Please be aware they charge for additional toppings.

Does any un-used allowance carry forward?

No.

Does the FSM allowance show on ParentPay?

No. It is added direct to the tills.

What if you spend more than £3?

The cost over £3 will be charged to your ParentPay account which needs to be paid for by topping up your Dinner money via www.ParentPay.com. Students can tell their parent/carer if they need to top up their account or you can set up ParentPay so you receive a text if the balance falls below a limit of your choice.

What if my ParentPay Dinner money is overdrawn?

The FSM is kept in a separate pot so you can still buy a meal for up to £3 but you cannot spend any more. You will need to top up your Dinner money via ParentPay to clear the overdrawn balance.

What can I buy with £3?

The hot meal option or £3 meal deals (including a baguette option), or individually priced items up to the £3 value, or you can combine with topped up funds if you want to spend more. To save money you may wish to provide your child with a drink or re-fillable water bottle.

What if I am going on a school trip?

You will be provided with a packed lunch to collect from the trip lead. You can take your own packed lunch or additional items from home if you wish. You might want to bring in a lunch box / your own bag as the café provide packed lunches in a paper bag.

Please email Student Services if you still have a query.

Free School Meals are awarded by the local council. It is easy to apply online by following the links below:

You will be advised if you are eligible or not via a letter from your council. The School is also notified and makes the change to its systems.