Free School Meals

The school uses a service provided by Slough Borough Council to check whether parents are eligible to claim free school meals for their children. Eligibility is checked using information held by the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue & Customs and other relevant government departments.

Parents do not need to re-apply for Free School Meals each year. However, eligibility is now re-checked annually by the school or local authority. This means that parents may be contacted if further information is required or if their child's eligibility changes.
From 1 September 2026, Free School Meal eligibility has been expanded to include all children from households receiving Universal Credit. There are two categories of eligibility:

• Targeted Free School Meals – for pupils in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. Pupils in this category also attract Pupil Premium funding for their school.
• Expanded Free School Meals – for pupils in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings above £7,400. Pupils in this category are entitled to free school meals but do not attract Pupil Premium funding.

If you think you may be eligible to claim free school meals for your child, please complete the Slough Borough Council on-line free school meals form.  You will be informed by the Council if your application is successful or not and they will also notify the school.  This replaces the need to complete the Application for Secondary Free School Meals Part A form, which is now no longer required.

The free school meals system is managed with complete discretion.  Once eligibility is confirmed, your child will have an allowance allocated to their cashless catering account each day. This allowance will be sufficient for them to purchase a balanced meal.  They can choose what to spend the allowance on; however, money not used does not carry over to the next day.

The school receives £1,100 in Pupil Premium funding for each secondary pupil who is eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, or who has been eligible for Targeted Free School Meals within the previous six years. This funding helps pupils and others access additional learning experiences, resources and support.

If you are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals but wish your child to bring a packed lunch from home, please still apply so that the school can receive the additional Pupil Premium funding.

Please contact Mrs Baker in the main school office if you have further queries.