Free School Meals

Is your child eligible for free school meals?

The rising cost of living means everyone could use a bit of help.  If you are unemployed or on benefits then you may be able to claim free school meals for your child.

This would not only help you: it would help the school too.

Schools are given additional funding by the Government for every child who gets free school meals.  We want to obtain as much as possible so that we can improve education for all Bulmershe students.

We are aware there are children who attend The Bulmershe School who are entitled to free school meals but do not realise it.  We are also aware that some parents choose not to take up the entitlement to a free school meal.

The pupil premium means that even if you don't wish to access a free daily meal, applying will mean that this school will receive further funding.

Changes to Free School Meals for the 2026/2027 Academic Year

Important changes are coming to the Free School Meals (FSM) system at the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Please Note: This information currently only applies to families who live in the Wokingham Borough Council area. Reading Borough Council has not released their information yet.

What is Changing?

The government is expanding Free School Meals for families who receive Universal Credit. From the start of the 2026/2027 school year, there will be two types of eligibility:

• Targeted FSM: For families on Universal Credit who earn £7,400 or less per year.
  • What you get: Free school meals plus extra support for the school (Pupil Premium funding). Families with no recourse to public funds may also qualify for this.
• Expanded FSM: For families on Universal Credit who earn more than £7,400 per year.
  • What you get: Free school meals only.

Protecting Extra Funding (Ever 6 Rule)

If your child already qualifies for Pupil Premium funding, they will keep this status under the "Ever 6" rule. The school will continue to receive extra money to support your child's learning for up to six years, even if your income changes.

End of Old Protection Rules (Transitional Protections)

Since 2018, some children kept getting free meals even if their family circumstances changed. Because the new rules now cover all families on Universal Credit, these old protections will end at the end of the 2025/2026 school year.

• This means some children may lose their free school meals if the family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit.

What You Need to Do

If your child already gets Free School Meals:

• Do not reapply. In most cases, you do not need to do anything.
• The school and the Local Authority will check your details automatically and let you know if anything changes.
• The school or Local Authority might contact you if they need to confirm your details.

If your child does not currently get Free School Meals:

• You may now be eligible under the new rules.
• You will need to apply through your local authority or the school.

Questions?

If you are unsure whether you need to apply, or if your home circumstances have changed, please email us at reception@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Alternatively please contact your child's Head of Year