Length of free school meal entitlement

Universal free school meals

Universal free school meal entitlement will continue while your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2.

Government free school meals

Free school meal transitional protections

Under the Free School Meal protections policy that was introduced on 1 April 2018, a pupil who was free school meals eligible on 1 April 2018, or who became eligible under the benefits/low-earnings criteria since then (up to 31/03/25) will continue to receive free meals until the end of the phase of education that they are in (i.e. primary or secondary), when the transitional protection period ends.

The transitional protection period for free school meals ended on 31 March 2025.

New free school meals applications from 1 April 2025

For all pupils who become eligible for free school meals for the first time from 1 April 2025, their eligibility will be reviewed termly. 

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