Apply for Pupil Premium and Free School Meals
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools to help reduce barriers to learning for children who may need extra support. It is provided for pupils who are eligible for free school meals, are looked after, or have a parent in the armed forces. Schools use this funding to make sure these children have the same opportunities to succeed as their peers, through targeted teaching, pastoral support, and access to wider school activities.
What is changing?
Recent updates have been introduced to expand eligibility criteria so that more families may qualify for support. From the start of the academic year 2026-2027, 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).
- Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only).
Due to these updates in eligibility criteria and the end of transitional protections, existing FSM entitlement will not automatically carry over into the new academic year. This means that if your child is currently receiving free school meals, you will need to reapply to continue receiving this support.
What do you need to do?
- Submit a new FSM application for your child
- Ensure your application is completed by Monday 31st August 2026 (but not before 1st August 2026)
Please be aware that failure to reapply by this date may result in your child no longer receiving free school meals from September.
Click here to apply for Free School Meals via the Cheshire East Parent Portal