Universal Free School Meals

All children from Reception to Year 6 are now entitled to a free school meal under the government scheme for Universal and Mayor of London initiatives. However, it is important that you still apply for benefit related free-school meals as there may be other benefits for you, your child and the school. These include (when available):

• access to free holiday clubs
• free holiday club meals
• extra funding for the school to support your child in school

How do I apply for free school meals?

You may be entitled to free school meals, saving yourself money and helping to further enhance your child’s education by providing additional funding for the school.

The new eligibility criteria for free school meals will be come in to affect from the 1st September 2026. You will be able to claim free school meals for your child if you receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds. 

Universal Credit eligibility changes

From the 01/09/2026 FSM eligibility is expanding to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. There will be 2 categories of eligibility for families in receipt of Universal Credit. The 2 categories Targeted and Expanded Eligible.

Universal Credit targeted FSM eligibility

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, such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM.

Universal Credit expanded FSM eligibility

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to expanded FSM (meals only).

check your children's eligibility for Free School Meals at

https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/

Apply online at

https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/student-pupil-support/free-school-meals-and-extra-support-for-your-child

Eat Smart with Taylor Shaw

We are delighted to announce that in September Taylor Shaw will be our new school meals provider. Below you can download some useful information from Taylor Shaw, including a Hello and Welcome,  Medical Diets guide and Newsletter. 

Allergy Children

If your child has an allergy it is essential that you read the Medical Diets Guide carefully, click the link and follow the instructions. This will help Taylor Shaw to design a menu for your child. Until this is completed the option available to allergy children will be restricted to a jacket potato.

The menu is being finalised and I have been assured that it will be ready to publish on the school website before the start of the new school year.