Free School Meals
What are Free School Meals?
All primary aged pupils in London are currently entitled to a free midday meal at school - this is known as the Universal Free School Meal.
Some children will be entitled to Free School Meals because their family is in receipt of certain benefits. For children in primary school, it may seem that there is no need to apply for Free School Meals as they will receive free meals through the Universal Free School Meals scheme. However, children who are entitled to Free School Meals can unlock up to £1,320 extra funding for their school called Pupil Premium. Although all primary aged children get a free meal through the Universal Free Meal Scheme, applying for Free School Meal will benefit their education as it will unlock the Pupil Premium funding. The Pupil Premium funding continues for 6 years after Free School Meals funding ceases, for instance if benefits become no longer payable.
More information on the Pupil Premium is available HERE.
Who can apply?
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit with an annual net income of no more than £7,400 (correct as at September 2020)
- Income support
- Income-based jobseekers’ allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of state pension credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Child tax credit, provided that you are not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of £16,190 or less (correct as at September 2020)
Applying for Free School Meals
Children from households with lower incomes may be entitled to free school meals. Our Office staff will be happy to advise you and help you complete an application. Please ask for Mrs Williams who is our free school meals applications manager; Monday, Tuesday and Friday.