School Lunches
Lunchtime is in safe hands with Innovate
Free School Meals
What is changing?
From September 2026 all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of income. This means many more families will be able to access Free School Meals. There will be two categories of Free School Meals:
-
Targeted Free School Meals – for lower income families (linked to Pupil Premium)
-
Expanded Free School Meals – for other households receiving Universal Credit
Please note: the above is not to be confused with Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) - all government funded schools are required to offer free meals to all pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, regardless of income.
End of current protections
At present, once a child qualifies for Free School Meals, they usually keep that entitlement even if family circumstances change, this is called Transitional Protection. This protection will continue until the end of the 2025/26 school year. From September 2026, eligibility will be based on your current circumstances. This means some children may gain or lose eligibility depending on changes to household income or benefits.
Important: You still need to apply!
Even if you receive Universal Credit, Free School Meals are not automatically given. You must still apply through school. If you think your child may be eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Please contact the school office for more information about how to apply for Free School Meals.