There are currently two types of Government funding available to schools which help cover the cost of free school meals:
•       Universal Free School Meal funding
•       Free School Meals/Pupil Premium funding (benefit based)

Universal Free School meals funding explained
All children in Reception Class and Years 1 and 2 are entitled to receive a free school meal, regardless of a parent’s financial status, through the Government Universal Free School meal funding scheme.

Free School Meals/Pupil Premium funding explained
Children whose parents are receiving the certain benefits will be entitled to receive a free school meal when they move up to Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). Eligibility criteria is changing for 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Changes for the 2026 to 2027 academic year

Ending “protected Free School Meals” category

Pupils eligible for free meals under previous benefits-based criteria retained their entitlement, even if their household circumstances changed, for the remaining time the pupil was in Primary School. This protection ends at the end of 2025/26 academic year.

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, households must meet the new FSM eligibility criteria to continue receiving provision. Any child currently in receipt of FSM will automatically have their eligibility re-checked. School will be notified of the results of checks and will let parents know how their eligibility has changed (between June and September 26). 

Eligibility for the 2026 to 2027 academic year

From 1 September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit and/or certain other benefits** will be eligible to receive free school meals (FSM). There will be two categories:

• 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

How to check eligibility

We ask for your consent to complete a Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility check for your child.

Free School Meal Application – Fill in form

Even if you believe you may not qualify, we encourage parents to provide details to check eligibility as this could help the school access valuable additional funding.

We use the information to complete an online form assessed by Reading Borough Council who return the outcome via email to you and us. It is secure, private and results are confidential. If you need help completing the online form, please visit our school office.

You can apply directly yourself, but this may result in a duplicate application if you have already applied in the past. https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?

No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals do not have to order them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways (Targeted FSM only).

My child receives free school meals because they are in Year 2 or below, do I still need to apply?

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals at school under the Universal Free School Meal funding. We encourage parents to check their eligibility for Free School Meals/Pupil Premium Funding (benefit based) because the school may be able to receive other funding as well.

More information on Pupil Premium

Completing the FSM check helps us identify whether your child qualifies for Free School Meals and enables the school to receive Pupil Premium funding (for Targeted FSM). Expanded FSM provides funding for Free School Meals only.

Pupil Premium supports learning, wellbeing and enrichment activities.

We use the extra money from Pupil Premium funding to improve the educational provision and resources at the school. Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation.

** Free school meals are available to pupils during 2026/27 academic year in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits: 

• Universal Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit

 

Please contact the School Office for any further guidance.