Free School Meals from September 2026

From September 2026, free school meal eligibility is expanding. All children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals.

We strongly encourage all families in receipt of Universal Credit to apply – even if your income has increased, your child may now qualify.

Applying is quick and easy via the Online FSM Application (OFSM).

Please note that temporary protections, which allowed children to continue receiving free school meals without rechecking eligibility, will end at the close of the 2025–2026 academic year.

From September 2026, all families will need to meet the current eligibility criteria to continue receiving free school meals.

Families who are currently receiving free school meals do not need to take any action at this stage. Eligibility will be automatically rechecked, and we will be informed of eligibility from September 2026.

New FSM Categories from September 2026

 Two types of benefit-based free school meals will be introduced:

• Targeted Free School Meals
  Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit and has an annual earned income of £7,400 or less (after tax, excluding benefits).
• Expanded Free School Meals
  Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit.

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less (the existing threshold for FSM prior to the expansion), will be eligible for targeted FSM. In addition to receiving free meals, pupils eligible for targeted FSM will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools. 

Other education entitlements that have previously been linked to eligibility for FSM fo our families, such as the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue but based on targeted FSM. 

Households qualifying for free meals because they are in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will also be eligible for targeted FSM.

Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit or households with families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may also be eligible for targeted FSM.

Pupil premium and other disadvantage funding is currently allocated in respect of pupils who are recorded in school census returns as eligible for FSM, or have been recorded as eligible for FSM in the past 6 years (referred to as Ever 6 FSM). From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, Ever 6 FSM will be based on targeted FSM. 

For more information from the government, please click here!

Free School Meals Entitlement 

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to be entitled to free meals, regardless of the earnings or benefit status of their households. This support is made available under the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) programme.

Families with children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 should stil to apply for benefits-based FSM. If you are eligible for targeted FSM, the school could receive additional funding.

At Park Road Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all eligible children have access to healthy and nutritious meals during the school day. We will routinely provide meals in school wherever possible as part of our commitment to pupil wellbeing and inclusion.

In exceptional circumstances, such as unavoidable school closures or restrictions to attendance, alternative arrangements may be put in place to support families. Where education continues to be provided remotely or through alternative provision, this may include food parcels or voucher schemes.

Supporting Pupils with Additional Needs

At Park Road Academy, we recognise that some pupils may require additional support to access school meals due to a disability or specific individual need.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils to ensure they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their peers. This includes making appropriate arrangements to support access to school meals, including free school meals where applicable.

We will work closely with pupils, families and any relevant professionals to identify the most appropriate support for each individual child. Adjustments will always take into account the needs of the pupil alongside our responsibilities under the School Food Standards.

Examples of support may include:

• Adjustments to food provision
• Changes to dining arrangements
• Additional adult support where needed
• Adaptations linked to sensory or medical needs

We believe that proactive planning is essential. Staff will be informed of agreed support arrangements and these will be reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet the pupil’s needs effectively.

Where a child has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), support relating to access to meals may also form part of their wider SEND provision, including SEN Support or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). In some cases, additional reasonable adjustments may still be required alongside this support.

At Park Road Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, supported and included in all aspects of school life, including mealtimes.

Making alternative arrangements for non-disabled children  

Schools are not obliged to make reasonable adjustments for children who do not have a disability.

However, where possible, we will make arrangements for supporting pupils at their school with medical conditions. These may be food-related. For example, a pupil may have a food allergy.

 Early Years Nutrition

At Park Road Academy, we recognise the importance of healthy eating in supporting children’s growth, development and wellbeing during the early years.

Our Early Years provision follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition guidance to ensure that children are provided with balanced, healthy and nutritious food throughout the school day.

We carefully consider:

• Appropriate portion sizes for children aged 1 to 5 years
• Individual dietary requirements and medical needs
• Effective communication with parents and carers regarding food and nutrition
• The development and implementation of a whole-school food and nutrition approach
• The needs of all children, including those with additional support needs or special diets
• Allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease
• Food linked to religious faiths and beliefs
• The safe management of special dietary requirements

At Park Road Academy, we work closely with families and relevant professionals to ensure that every child’s individual needs are understood and supported appropriately. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and positive mealtime experience for all children within our Early Years setting.

 

Mrs Harrison is our Senior Lead Champion for Free School Meals and Pupil Premuim supported by Mrs Morris, who co-ordinates the provision and works directly with our families. 

Children in receipt of FSM and/or Pupil Premium can contact the school via our direct e-mail link at pupilpremuim@parkroadacademy.co.k if they have any questions or would like to discuss support in school.