Free School Meals

The Government is changing how Free School Meals work. Please read this important update.

What is changing?

From September 2026, all children whose families get Universal Credit will get a free school meal. This is part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.

There will now be two types of Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals — for families on Universal Credit who earn £7,400 a year or less. 

Expanded Free School Meals — for families on Universal Credit who earn more than £7,400 a year.

Eligibility Checks:

Schools and councils will now check eligibility every year. This is to make sure each child is in the correct group (Targeted or Expanded).

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Children in these year groups will still get free meals for lunch, no matter what their family earns. This is called Universal Infant Free School Meals.

Families should still apply for benefits‑based Free School Meals because:

Families may get Morrisons Vouchers or access to holiday clubs (HAF)

Schools may get extra funding

Transitional protection is ending:

Since 2018, some children have kept Free School Meals even if their family income changed. This protection will end in July 2026.

From September 2026, families must meet the new rules to continue getting Free School Meals.

What this means for you:

All families must be checked again before September 2026.

Targeted families will receive free school meals, may still get Morrisons vouchers and access to the HAF programmes if available.

Expanded families will receive free school meals, will not receive vouchers or access HAF.

To check your eligibility and apply for Free School Meals please click on the link below or call into the school office for a paper application form.

Free School Meal Online Application