Free School Meals
Changes to FSM from September 2026
From September 2026, there will be important national changes to Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility.
End of Transitional Protection
The current transitional protection arrangements for Free School Meals will end in July 2026. This means that pupils who are currently receiving FSM will not automatically remain eligible from September 2026. To continue receiving Free School Meals, families will need to meet the revised eligibility criteria.
Expanded Eligibility from September 2026
From September 2026, all children living in households that receive Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of household income.
Free School Meals Categories
From September 2026, Free School Meals provision for secondary school pupils will be divided into two categories:
Targeted Free School Meals
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Available to pupils from households with an earned income of less than £7,400 per year.
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These pupils will continue to attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.
Expanded Free School Meals
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Available to all other pupils in households receiving Universal Credit.
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These pupils will be entitled to Free School Meals but will not attract Pupil Premium funding.
How to Apply
If you think you may be entitled to free school meals for your child/ren, please complete the following Google form: Free School Meals Registration Form
Please supply your child with a packed lunch or top up their ParentPay account until we let you know if your application has been approved.
How we Confirm Entitlement
The information provided in the form is checked against records held by Oxfordshire County Council. The process can take up to 5 working days. The school will email the outcome as soon as possible.
If we cannot confirm your entitlement through this process we will ask you to provide up-to-date evidence of the benefit you receive, normally the official documentation of the benefit.
