Free school meals

If your child is in Reception, year one or year two, you will automatically be entitled for free meals under the new 'Universal Infant Free School Meals' criteria. However if you do meet the criteria listed below then you will need to submit an online claim in order for your child’s school to receive Pupil Premium funding.

Please note: We do not process claims for:

• Beacon Hill Academy
• Blanford Mere Primary School
• Blowers Green Primary School
• Fairhaven Primary School
• Greenfield Primary Academy
• Kates Hill Primary School
• Netherbrook Primary School
• Pegasus Academy
• Sledmere Primary School
• St James Academy
• The Link Academy

Please check these schools' websites to claim, or contact these schools directly.

Transitional protections for free school meals have been in effect since 1 April 2018. This has meant that pupils becoming eligible for free meals under the benefits-based criteria have retained their entitlement, even if their household circumstances have changed.

Transitional protections apply until the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. All pupils eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria before the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year should continue to receive this entitlement until the end of that academic year.

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, transitional protections for free school meals will end. Households must meet the FSM eligibility criteria from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year to continue receiving provision.

If you have any questions about school meals, please contact your child’s school. Menus, prices and arrangements vary from school to school.

Full details on free school meals can be found on GOV.UK.

Your child is entitled to receive free school meals if you receive one or more of:

• Universal Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Please note that pupils are only eligible where a claim for this support has been made and their eligibility has been verified by their school or Dudley Council.

Your child may also qualify if:

• you receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• you receive the guaranteed element of Pension Credit you are part of a specific group with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Children that attend Dudley-maintained nursery classes both before and after lunchtime may also be eligible for income-related free school meals.