Free School Meals

Is your child entitled to Free School Meals? 

Children in their first year at school (Reception Year), as well as those in Year 1 and Year 2 are all entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meal. These are provided as part of a government initiative to provide children in these years with a healthy and nutritious school meal. At The Radstone Primary School these meals are provided by Fresh Start. 

From 1st September 2026 Free School Meals (FSM) are:

Targeted FSM - applies to pupils meeting existing income-based criteria.

Expanded FSM  - covers all children in households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of income.

Overview of FSM Categories

Targeted FSM refers to pupils who meet the traditional eligibility criteria, which include household income thresholds and benefits-based conditions. These pupils are eligible for linked entitlements such as pupil premium funding, Holiday Activities and Food programs, and extended school travel rights.

Expanded FSM is a new category introduced from the 2026 to 2027 academic year. It includes all children in households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of the amount received or other income considerations. Expanded FSM does not attract pupil premium funding, but pupils still receive free meals.

Eligibility and Verification

• Universal Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:

• a claim for this support has been made
• their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority

Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit

• Eligibility checks should be completed before the start of the academic year, and pupils without verified eligibility will not attract FSM funding.

Please visit here for more information

Free school meals: guidance for local authorities, local-authority-maintained schools, academies and free schools - GOV.UK

or to complete an online application form:

Free school meals and pupil premium | West Northamptonshire Council