Did you know that all children in KS1 get FREE school meals? Simply inform your child or their teacher to select ‘dinner’ as their option for lunchtime and your child will receive free meals until they move to KS2.
Free School Meal (FSM) Changes for the New Academic Year starting September 2026.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 has extended eligibility to receive free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
In addition, one of the main changes is the requirement to re-check pupils’ eligibility annually. For children that currently receive FSM, this check will be automatically undertaken by Kent County Council during the summer holiday and parents/carers will be advised if their child(ren) is no longer eligible.
If you think that your child may be eligible for FSM, please make an application via the KCC website:-
Apply for free school meals – Kent County Council
The application will be assessed immediately. Please note that if your child is eligible, they do not have to have a school meal every day, it is your choice.
Please make an application even if your child is in Years R, 1 and 2, as although they receive a free school meal under the current Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme, by being eligible for FSM it provides additional funding for schools and will help your school enormously.
For more information, please visit Kent County Council’s website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals, or speak to your school office team.