Free school meals applications

• Click here for the Gloucestershire Free School Meal portal

What are the qualifying criteria for Free School Meals?  

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit -  your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Please apply for free school meals if your income is low, even if your child is entitled to a Universal infant free school meal or they have a packed lunch as the funding is different. Children who are entitled to free school meals at any time during the last 5 years receive extra Pupil Premium funding for the school. This helps us to provide your child with lots of additional opportunities and support.

Full details and the on-line application can be found on the Gloucestershire Council website or the school office will be happy to help. There is a frequently asked questions link below which maybe helpful before applying.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence and other children and parents do not know who is entitled to free meals.

Universal Free School Meals - Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Pupils.

Government introduced from September 2014, for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, an entitlement to a free school meal. This will be in addition to the current free school meal service currently offered to pupils whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits. To find out more about this initiative to ensure a good food culture and help improve educational attainment, go to http://www.schoolfoodplan.com If your child is within this age group please still apply for free school meals if you meet the criteria above.

Will my child feel singled out?

No, all children in school are given the same meals options that are provided to all children whether it is paid for or free.

Please come in and see us in school if you have any questions first, however should we not be available or able to answer these there is designated email offering support with applications in Gloucestershire below:

freeschoolmeals@gloucestershire.gov.uk