Universal Free School Meals
Children in Reception, Year 1 and 2
All children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 get a Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme. This is available to all infant-aged pupils, regardless of family income or benefits received.
If your family is in receipt of qualifying benefits, we strongly encourage you to apply for Free School Meals (FSM) even if your child already receives UIFSM. This enables the school to claim Pupil Premium funding, which provides additional resources to support your child's education and wellbeing.
Free School Meals
Targeted Free School Meals
A child may be eligible for Targeted Free School Meals if their parent or carer receives one of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit with annual earned income of £7,400 or less (after tax and excluding benefits)
- Families with no recourse to public funds who meet the criteria set out in government guidance.
Children who receive one of the qualifying benefits in their own right may also be eligible.
Pupils eligible for Targeted FSM may also attract additional support, including Pupil Premium funding.
Expanded Free School Meals
From September 2026, all children from households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings. This is known as Expanded FSM.
Children eligible through Expanded FSM receive a free meal but do not attract Pupil Premium funding unless they also meet the criteria for Targeted FSM.
If you think you might be eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSMs) and your child is aged 4 to 18 years we would strongly encourage you to apply (even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2). As well as your child receiving a free meal, the school also receives additional funding called Pupil Premium which can be used to support children in school. Currently, families who have applied for Benefits-Related Free School Meals have received supermarket food e-vouchers and activity clubs in school holidays.
Why Apply?
By registering, your child may receive:
- A free school meal each day.
- Access to support that may be linked to FSM eligibility.
- Additional funding for the school through Pupil Premium (where eligible under Targeted FSM), helping to provide extra support, resources and opportunities for pupils.
Even if your child is already receiving Universal Infant Free School Meals in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, it is still important to apply if you receive qualifying benefits.
Applying for free school meals
If you believe your child is eligible for Free School Meals, you will need to submit an application for each child when they start school.
If your child is due to start school, we recommend submitting your application in August, before they begin in September, so that entitlement can be confirmed as early as possible.
Free School Meal eligibility is checked by the Local Authority. Families may be asked to provide updated information or evidence to confirm continued eligibility where required. Eligibility checks are carried out in accordance with current Department for Education guidance.
If you have moved into the area and your child was receiving Free School Meals at their previous school, you should either:
- Submit a new application using the online form below; or
- Provide evidence of your previous Free School Meal award from your former Local Authority.
You can check whether your child is eligible by completing the online application form or by speaking with your child's school.
Further information can be found on the South Gloucestershire Council website. Parents and carers can apply online via the South Gloucestershire Portal. Eligibility will be checked electronically, and you will be notified of the outcome. Where an application is successful, the school will also be informed directly.
Apply Online Here or Download an Application Form.
If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the school office for support or request a paper application form.
The South Gloucestershire Council Contact Centre can also provide assistance to families who are unable to complete the online application or require additional support. Telephone: 01454 868008.
Free School Meals Update – September 2026
FSM Supermarket Vouchers Letter Oct 26
