Important: Changes to Free School Meals (FSM)

There are upcoming important changes to Free School Meals (FSM).

These changes may affect your child from 1 September 2026.

What is changing?

• The government has changed the rules for Free School Meals.
• These changes are linked to Universal Credit.
• The changes were announced on 11 May.

What happens now?

• Since 2018, once your child qualified for FSM, they kept it even if your situation changed.
• This will stop on 31 August 2026.

What this means for you

• From summer 2026, all families will need to be checked again.
• This will be done by Sheffield City Council.

This applies to:

• Children who already get FSM
• Families applying for FSM for the first time
• After this, checks will happen every year.

Who can get Free School Meals?

There are two types:

1. Targeted FSM (includes extra school funding)

You may qualify if:

• You get Universal Credit and your household income is £7,400 or less per year, or
• You get support through the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999), or
• You get income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
• You get the guaranteed part of Pension Credit, or
• You have no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

2. Expanded FSM (meals only)

You may qualify if:

• You get Universal Credit and your income is above £7,400 per year

What should you do?

• If your child already gets FSM, you do not need to apply now
  The council will contact you if anything changes
• Please be aware:
  Some families who get FSM now may not qualify from September 2026
• If you are not getting FSM but think you may qualify, you can apply online:

👉 Apply for free school meals

 

Our message to you

• We want to make sure every child who is eligible gets free school meals
• Please look out for more updates from school or the council

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact the school:

elliottk@meadowhead.sheffield.sch.uk

 

What is Pupil Premium?  

If you are eligible for targeted free school meals:

• your child’s school will receive up to £1550 additional funding (Pupil Premium)
• your child’s early years education provider will receive additional funding (Early Years Pupil Premium)

This government funding is to support your child's education and can help to buy new equipment and resources.

 Below are some examples of how schools use their Pupil Premium money:

• Extra one-to-one or small group sessions for children within the classroom.
• Employing extra teaching assistants to work with classes.
• Running catch-up sessions for children who need extra help with maths or reading.
• Running a school breakfast club which encourages pupils to get to schools early and have something to eat before they start their school day.
• Paying for educational trips and visits that all pupils can join in with.
• Putting more money into schools that help improve children’s learning, such as laptops or tablets.

See our Pupil Premium policy page for more information.