From September 2026, the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals has changed and some protections that have been in place have ended.

There are now two types of benefits based Free School Meals:

Expanded Free School Meals
This is a category covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM but who are in households receiving Universal Credit.

This provides your child with a free school meal each day:

• £3.46 per day on their cashless canteen account for lunch
• An additional 60p breakfast allowance, available before 8:20am
• Automatic access to these funds when they enter their PIN number at the canteen
   

Targeted Free School Meals
This continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.

This provides your child with a free school meal each day and additional support for the school through Pupil Premium funding, such as:

• Targeted tuition and intervention programmes
• Additional staffing and pastoral support
• Contributions towards curriculum trips and visits
• Uniform assistance
• Food Technology ingredients and resources
• Other support to help students achieve their full potential
   

If your child is NOT currently in receipt of Free School Meals:
We encourage you to complete a quick online application, even if you do not think you are eligible. The process is simple, confidential, and may benefit your child both now and in the future if your circumstances change.
 

How to Apply:

What Happens Next:
Once you submit your application through the Online Free School Meals platform, you will receive an instant email confirming whether your child is eligible.
 

Successful Applications:
Your child's free school meals allowance will be in place for the remainder of the academic year.
The system will automatically recheck eligibility each year prior to the start of September.
 

Unsuccessful Applications:
You do not need to reapply. The system will run automatic checks and may find you eligible if your circumstances change. You will receive an email confirming any new eligibility. 

Questions or Support with Application:
Please email OFSM@bramhallhigh.stockport.sch.uk

All applications and information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.