Free School Meals

Did you know that your child might be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit

Children who are paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also receive free school meals.

Your child might also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

  • Younger than the compulsory age for starting school
  • In full-time education

The funding is known as Pupil Premium and is the additional funding provided to schools by national government. The aim of Pupil Premium is to help ‘narrow the gap’ in performance for children who may be disadvantaged.

Although children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive free school meals, we encourage families to apply as the funding extends to support academic, social and emotional development.

To find out if you are eligible for free school meals and how to apply, go to www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals, put in your post code and you will be directed to the County Council website.