Pupil Premium - Free School Meals
Government Guidance
Pupil premium is funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils.
Schools do not have to spend pupil premium so it solely benefits pupils. They can use it wherever they identify the greatest need. For example, they might spend it on pupils who do not get free school meals but:
- have or have had a social worker
- act as a carer
Using pupil premium funding to improve teaching quality is the most effective way to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. By doing so, schools will inevitably benefit non-eligible pupils as well.
Who is entitled to Free School Meals
Free School Meals Changes from 2026/27
- From the 2026/27 school year, all children in families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals, no matter how much their parents earn.
- This replaces the current rule that only families earning under £7,400 a year qualify.
- Around 500,000 more children are expected to become eligible.
Important change:
- Current “transitional protection” (which lets some children keep free meals even if their circumstances change) will end at the end of the 2025/26 school year.
If you are not eligible for benefits-related, free school meals, but your child is currently in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they will automatically be entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals and you need not apply.
How to apply
From 1st January 2024 West Sussex introduced a new process for parents to submit their applications for Free School Meals (FSM). The process will be entirely online. This electronic process will use the same portal that parents need to use for their school admissions preferences and/or 2-year-old entitlement checks.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they may also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.
Links are on the Council website to take parents to the new online FSM application. Pathway on West Sussex County Council site is: West Sussex County Council – Education Families and Children – Schools and Colleges – Free School Meals
OR the website is: