If you are eligible, your child gets a nutritious and balanced meal that supports healthy growth, wellbeing and concentration.

Changes to Free School Meals from September 2026

Recent updates have been introduced to expand eligibility criteria, so that more families may qualify for support. From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit may be entitled to free school meals (FSM), regardless of earnings. Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility:

•  Targeted Free School Meals - For households in receipt of Universal Credit, earning £7,400 or less (after tax, excluding benefits). Support includes free school meals and additional support such as Pupil Premium.
• Expanded Free School Meals (Only from September 2026) For households in receipt of Universal Credit, earning above £7,400. Support includes free school meals only.

All parents/carers will need to reapply to check if they are or remain eligible for the next academic year, 2026–2027.

Applying is quick, easy and confidential via the Online FSM Application (OFSM). You need to add each of your children separately on the form. As part of the application, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, contact details, National Insurance Number, enter each child’s information and select the establishment as  All Saints' Catholic Primary School.

Temporary protections, which allowed children to continue receiving FSM without rechecking eligibility every year, will end at the close of the 2025–2026 academic year. Therefore, eligibility will need to be re-checked every year.

From September 2026, all families will need to meet the new current eligibility criteria to continue receiving free school meals. We strongly encourage all families in receipt of Universal Credit to apply.

 Universal Infant Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will receive a free school meal. This is a nationwide initiative and is irrespective of Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility. The school does encourages all families to check eligibility for FSM using the Online FSM Application (OFSM) link. The school may receive additional funding for all eligible pupils throughout their primary phase. This funding is used to improve the educational provision and resources at the school, therefore it is essential parents who are eligible for FSM register for them, even if you opt for a packed lunch instead of school meal.

Please contact the school office, should you have any queries relating to free school meals.