Who can get free school meals? 

From the start of the 2026 - 2027 academic year, the Government has expanded access to Free School Meals to all children and young people from households receiving Universal Credit.

Targeted free school meals  

Children will qualify for targeted free school meals if their household receives one of the following: 

• Universal Credit with earnings below £7,400 per year  

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 

• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit 

• support under the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) arrangements 

In addition to the free school meals, this unlocks additional support, including: 

• extra funding for the child’s school through the Pupil Premium 

• free access for the child to Dorset Council’s Holiday Activities & Food Programme, which provides activities and meals during school holidays 

Expanded free school meals    

Children will qualify for free school meals if their household: 

• receives Universal Credit with annual earnings over £7,400 

This is for free school meals only. It does not include additional school funding (pupil premium) or access to the Holiday Activities and Food programme. 

What households need to do 

If you have a child at school, including sixth form:

• Apply or reapply from 1 June 2026, even if your child received free school meals in 2025/26 

• Apply separately for each child, including younger children starting school in September 

Apply for free school meals

To apply for free school meals for your child, please click on the link below. 

Free School Meals online application form - Click here

You'll need your National Insurance number or Asylum Seekers Service number so we can make automated checks to confirm your entitlement.

We'll let you know straight away if you qualify and send you a confirmation email.

If you need any help in completing the form, please contact the school office on 01202 886738 and we can assist or complete the form on your behalf.

Please click on the letter below for more information, details on how this may affect you and what you should do to apply.