Free school meals

How much could you save?

You could save approximately £480 a year if your child qualifies for free school meals. 

In addition the school can receive additional funding from the government, based on the number of children receiving free school meals, to support learning through additional resources. This funding can really make a difference.

Importance of a school lunch

A good nutritious meal at lunchtime has important health and educational benefits for children.

Evidence shows that eating a healthy school meal improves children’s concentration during afternoon lessons and can have a positive impact on classroom behaviour.

Good food can also help children to develop healthy eating habits and help to decrease health problems in the future.

Eligibility

1.Your child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if you receive one of the benefits below:

• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more the £7,400 (616.67 per month)

• Child Tax credit, provided the parents are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit with an annual gross income of no more that £16,190. 

• Working Tax Credit run on (Paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income –related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of the Pension Credit

Children who get any of the above benefits directly, instead of through a parent or carer, can also apply for free school meals.

Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically get free school meals, but if you receive one of these benefits you should still complete an application form so that additional funding provided by the government can be received for the school. We will only get the additional funding if families complete the form.

Applying is easy and can be done here.

Please return your forms to the school office or by email.

No Recourse to Public Funds

2. Your Child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if your family has no recourse to public funds subject to immigration status and maximum income thresholds:

You will need to complete and sign a self-declaration form confirming your immigration category and that you are not above the relevant maximum income threshold. You may also be required to provide evidence to the school of both these points.  

Applying is easy and can be done here.

Please return your forms to the school office or by email.