Free School Meals

Dear Parent/Carer,
We would like to inform you of some important changes to Free School Meals (FSM) and ask that all families read this information carefully.
Important – action required
To ensure your child receives, or continues to receive, Free School Meals from 1st September 2026, we strongly encourage all parents who believe they may be eligible to apply using the link below:

Apply for Free School meals

Information for Parents

If you check your eligibility and you get the result of 'Eligible Targeted' and you then apply for free school meals, your child will get their free school meals as soon as you receive your letter from Rochdale Council.

If you check your eligibility and you get the result of 'Eligible Expanded' and then you apply for free school meals, your child will get their free school meals from September when the new criteria starts.

Once you have had confirmation that you are eligible, please go to Rochdale Council's website and apply or re-apply for each child at our school. ​

free-school-meals ​What are the FSM changes?

From 1st September 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) is expanding FSM eligibility to include all children from households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings.
This means that many more families may now qualify for the first time.
At the same time, some pupils have previously continued to receive FSM under ‘transitional protection’, even if they no longer met the criteria. This protection will now end on 31st August 2026.
If a new application is not made, your child may lose their entitlement from September.

Who is eligible?

Free School Meals are available to pupils whose parents/carers receive one or more of the following:

Universal Credit
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Support for families with no recourse to public funds