School Meals/ FSM

Changes to free school meals (FSM) from the start of the 1^st September 2026

 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 may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria.

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

Please apply on line at:

https://cyp.halton.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Enquiries/Citizen/FreeSchoolMeals.aspx

 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

School meals are prepared on site in the school kitchen by an independent catering company.

Parents should order meals in advance at www.schoolhub.co.uk.  Children will be given a sandwich and fruit if they do not have a meal booked.

If your child has any dietary requirements we will accomodate any needs if you contact the school office.

School meals offer a selection of freshly cooked main meals and desserts every day, often including pasta, salad, fresh fruit and yoghurt, for only £3.60 per day 

Children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with a free hot dinner every day or children may bring in a packed lunch from home.

We encourage healthy eating at school and for that reason prefer children to not bring sweets, chocolate bars or similarly unhealthy snacks.  We ask that they bring water or fruit juice for their lunch, no fizzy drinks.  

We take part in a number of events to promote healthy eating and letters will be sent home to promote this.

Our Head pupils meet regularly with the school cook to ensure that pupil voice is listened to and adapt the menus accordinging to what the children want (within reason!!!). Our menus includes all the children's favourites and is fully compliant with Government standards which state that we must include one portion of fruit and veg/salad per child. 

Orian freshly prepares, cooks and serves more than 20,000 school meals each day across Northern England.

Lunch Shop is Orian’s branded primary school meals service, which offers:

• Menus tailored to each school’s requirements

• Meals made using the freshest possible ingredients, sourced from local suppliers

• School Hub – our free online meals management system (keep scrolling to find out more!)

• Marketing, promotional and display support

• Dedicated regional account management teams

• Themed event days linked to historic and sporting events, popular observation days or the cuisines of different countries

• Regular competitions and opportunities for pupil engagement sessions based around the importance of healthy living and food education

Please see menus below:

Files to Download