From 1 September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will receive free school meals (FSM). There will be two categories:

• Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
• Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit

As we receive more information, updates will be made to this area of the website. 

If your child is starting with us in September 2026 we are asking for your consent to complete a Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility check for your child. Even if you believe you may not qualify, please still provide your details to the school as this could help the school access valuable additional funding.

Completing the FSM check helps us identify whether your child qualifies for Free School Meals and enables the school to receive Pupil Premium funding, which supports learning, wellbeing and enrichment activities.

Currently (summer 2025) free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school. What is pupil premium funding? Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation.

 

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?

No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.

 

How do I register? You only need to apply once at the school.

To do this, complete the online form: Free School Meal Application Form. The form is processed by Slough Borough Council who return the outcome via email to you and us. It is secure, private and results are confidential. If you need help completing the online form, please visit our school office.

 

More information

For more information about pupil premium can be found on our website, which contains details of how the pupil premium has been spent in the past academic year and how it will be spent this year. If you have any questions or specific concerns, please contact the school office.

 

Please see below FAQ's and a user guide relating to the Free School Meal vouchers.