Action needed: confirming your child’s Free School Meals for 2026/27. Check each of your children’s eligibility here: https://fsm.lgfl.net/app
We are writing to let you know about an important national change to free school meals. From September 2026, more children will be entitled to free school meals because eligibility is expanding to include any child in a household receiving Universal Credit, regardless of family income.
What is changing?
From September 2026 there will be two categories of benefits-based free school meals:
1. Targeted FSM
These are pupils whose families:
- Receive Universal Credit and have earnings below the existing £7,400 threshold (plus other existing qualifying groups).
These pupils:
- Receive free school meals.
- Generate Pupil Premium funding.
2. Expanded FSM
These are pupils whose families:
- Receive Universal Credit but have earnings above the £7,400 threshold.
These pupils:
- Receive free school meals.
- Do not generate Pupil Premium.
This change means that many more families may now be eligible for free school meals. We encourage all parents and carers to check whether their child qualifies, even if their child already receives free school meals. Children currently receiving free school meals will not automatically continue to be eligible from September 2026.
All families now need to use the eligibility checker below in order to receive free school meals. You need to complete the checker for each of your children individually. The check only takes a few minutes, and both you and the school will be informed immediately if your child is eligible. We are aware Bradford Council have also asked for these details. We will pass this information to Bradford Council so please make sure you have completed the eligibility tracker below BY 8AM MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER, even if you have already applied to Bradford Council.
Check each of you children’s eligibility here: https://fsm.lgfl.net/app
If you are unsure whether to apply, we would strongly encourage you to complete the eligibility check, it is quick and easy, as many more families may now qualify under the new rules.
Kind Regards
Simon Wade, Head Teacher
To download a copy of this letter, please click here.
