Free School Meals and Support
Free school meals and pupil premium
If you get a qualifying benefit and you have a child in primary or secondary school you may be eligible for free school meals.
Registering for free school meals could help the school get extra funding from the government through the pupil premium scheme. This funding can really make a difference. Please see the Pupil Premium section on the website to see how Merryhills uses the funding.
Who can get free school meals?
Following an announcement made by the Mayor of London, from September 2023, all primary school children in state-funded schools in London will automatically get free school meals for the 2023 to 2024 academic year. This could save families around £440 per child across the year. For more information, visit Mayor of London - Free School Meals
Primary school children will automatically get their free school meal whether their parent or carer gets a qualifying benefit or not, but it’s very important that families on benefits still complete an application form for free school meals. If you qualify, your child will continue to get free school meals in September 2024.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (Key Stage 1)
All children in reception, year 1 and year 2, automatically get free school meals if they go to a state school, whether their parent or carer gets a qualifying benefit or not. This is called Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM).
If you are a low-income family and get one of the benefits listed, you should still register for UIFSM. If your child is eligible, their free school meal entitlement will be protected until they reach the end of their current phase of education (primary school), even if your circumstances change.
To register, complete the application form below.
If your application is successful, we will let your child’s school know.
Children in Year 3 and above (Key stage 2, 3 and 4)
Children in other years groups, including secondary schools, may be eligible for free school meals if their parent or carer gets any of the benefits listed.
Free School Meals Application Form
