Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium (Income based free school meals) if you get any of the following state benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

* UPDATED FREE SCHOOL MEAL ELIGIBILITY

From September 2026, the eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSM) will expand to include pupils living in households in receipt of Universal Credit with an income above the current £7,400 threshold.

We recommend all parents check their entitlement to Pupil Premium as all eligible children will receive additional support in school to improve children's educational outcomes, as well as many other perks including a free school bookbag and free holiday activity clubs.  In addition the school receives additional funding to provide additional support to qualifying pupils.

Why do I need to register, don't all infant children get free school meals?

Many families miss out on the advantages of registering for Pupil Premium (Income Based Free School Meals) due to the confusion with the Universal Infant Free School Meals that gives all Infant aged children a free school lunch regardless of their family income. 

The Income-based Free School Meals is a separate scheme which applies to children from lower-incomes families only to help increase the educational outcomes of children from a disadvantaged background.  By registering your child when they are at Infant School, this will ensure a smooth transition when they move to Junior school, where school meals are normally chargeable.

Link to Hampshire County Council's Free School Meal Web Page

Free School Meal Eligibility Checker

To check your child's eligibility for pupil premium or continued free school meals (from Key Stage 2), use the online eligibility checker above.

To complete an eligibility check you need the following information for yourself or the person you are checking on behalf of:

• your own name, date of birth, and contact details
• National Insurance number or National Asylum Seekers number
• child's name and date of birth
• school your child is attending

If you would prefer the school to perform this check for you, please provide the school office with your personal information above and we will be happy to check on your behalf.

How can I check if I am Eligible for Income Based Free School Meals?

To see if you are eligible for Income based Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) please click on the link above.  It is best to check your eligibility than miss out!

Are there any other benefits to Registering my Child for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium)?

Yes, in addition to receiving additional educational support, all children registered for Pupil Premium (Income-based free school meals) are also eligible to attend local holiday activities clubs free of charge during school holidays via the Hampshire County Council Holidays and Activities and Food Fund. (HAF) Please see the HAF webpage to find out more.https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/connectforcommunities/holidayactivities