Registering for Free School Meals

Many of our families are facing a significant change to their personal circumstances as a result of the cost of living crisis. If you fulfil certain criteria, you may be entitled to claim for Free School Meals (FSM) for your child if they are in Reception or above.

The government has announced changes to the entitlement criteria for free school meals from September 2026. From then there will be two different types of free school meals, known as 'targeted' and 'expanded'. 

Families who receive any of the following are eligible for 'targeted' free school meals -

  • Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less

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

  • are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit

Families in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to 'expanded' free school meals. 

To apply under 'targeted' or 'expanded' free school meals please apply online using the link below:

https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/entrust

A free school meal cannot be provided under ‘expanded’ criteria before 1 September 2026.

Once an application has been made and is successful, the academy will be notified by the Online Free School Meal Service.

Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and receives Universal Free School Meals but you are eligible to apply for the Free School Meals scheme. please do apply as it enables the school to access additional funding for your child under the Pupil Premium scheme too. This additional funding enables school to provide wider opportunities, experiences and invest in resources to raise pupil attainment.