Free School Meals

Apply for Free School Meals…

it's quick and easy using the online form at:

https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims-wirral/

If you are receiving certain benefits, a FREE tasty and nutritious school meal is available for your children at Kingsway Primary School…BUT YOU MUST APPLY!

Look at the benefits:

• A free school meal for your child, which is good for their health and could help their learning.
• Savings for you, worth over £350 a year.
• Extra money for the school through Pupil Premium, worth at least £900 a year.

Remember. Just registering your child for Free School Meals means that Kingsway Primary School receives the extra money even if you don't take up the free meal. No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

If you want further information then please talk to Miss Challinor or email at the address above; everything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Changes to free school meals from the 2026 to 2027 academic year

There are changes to free school meals (FSM) from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

What is changing?

Expanded entitlement for families on Universal Credit

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings.

Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility:

• Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium).
  Other educational entitlements 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.
• Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only)

Families with no recourse to public funds  (NRPF) may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria - use the form from the school office

All pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 will also continue to be entitled to free school meals under the universal infant free school meals policy regardless of family circumstances.

End of transitional protections

Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals, even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. This is referred to as transitional protections.

Now that entitlement is being expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections will end at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

This means:

• Some children may no longer be eligible from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit
• Eligibility will now be based on current benefit status

What you need to do

If your child currently receives free school meals:

•  In most cases, you do not need to reapply
• Your child’s school or the local authority will check your eligibility automatically using the details already held and inform you of any changes to your FSM eligibility
• In some cases, your child’s school or the local authority may contact you to confirm your details
• If your child is starting a new school in September, they will be in touch to confirm whether you need to confirm your details or reapply.
• If you are unsure, please contact your school or local authority for advice.

If your child does not currently receive free school meals

• You may now be eligible under the expanded criteria
• You will need to apply through your local authority / school

Checking whether you qualify and registering is really quick and easy – do it online at: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims-wirral/

Or use the form available from the school office

Not sure?

If you are unsure whether you need to apply or if your circumstances have changed, please contact:

• Your local authority, or
• Your child’s school – See Miss Challinor/Miss Atherton in the school office. They will be able to advise and support you.