All infant pupils are entitled to free school meals. Children in Year 3 and above (including secondary pupils) are eligible for free school meals if their parents receive one or more qualifying benefits.

If you think your child may be entitled to a free school meal, contact your school to apply.

Schools may also claim for additional funding called 'pupil premium' for pupils who are eligible for free school meals.

What is pupil premium funding?

Pupil premium is additional funding for schools to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in England. Pupil premium is not personal budget allocated to individual eligible pupils - it is funding awarded to schools based on the number of eligible pupils on roll. It is at the discretion of school leaders to decide how to spend the pupil premium within the requirements of the conditions set by government.

What is the link between free school meals and pupil premium funding?

All infant pupils are entitled to free school meals, but it is still important that schools know which infant pupils meet the benefit criteria for free school meals. This is because the school receives pupil premium and formula funding based on the number of pupils that are eligible for free school meals.