Free school meals

Even if your child currently receives free school meals, you must submit a new application for each child for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. 

You can apply now.

Free school meals (FSM) help to make sure that children and young people can access a healthy meal during the school day. They also help schools access additional funding to support pupils.

Applications for the current 2025 to 2026 academic year will be processed in line with current criteria and legislation. You can find details about the current free school meals scheme on GOV.UK.

Changes from September 2026

The government has announced changes to free school meal eligibility from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

From September 2026, all children from households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. 

This means more families will now qualify for support.

As part of these changes, the current transitional protection arrangements will end from the start of the new academic year in September 2026. Transitional protection means some children continue to receive free school meals even if family circumstances change. From September 2026, eligibility will be reviewed under the new national rules.

What is changing

There will be 2 types of free school meal eligibility from September 2026 - targeted and expanded.

Targeted free school meals

Children eligible for targeted free school meals get:

Expanded free school meals

Children eligible for expanded free school meals get free school meals only (without pupil premium funding for their school).

What is staying the same

Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 will continue to receive universal infant free school meals.

If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 and is eligible for targeted free school meals, it’s important that you apply even though they already receive universal infant free school meals.

This is so that the school receives the extra government funding.

Eligibility

For targeted free school meals:

  1. Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
  2. Households qualifying for free meals because they are in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  3. Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit or families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

For expanded free school meals:

  1. Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400.

When to apply

Applications for free school meals for the 2026 to 2027 academic year are now open.

It is best if you can apply as early as possible and ideally before the end of the summer term. This will help make sure that arrangements are in place for September.

Early applications help schools and families prepare for the new academic year and reduce delays in September.

How to apply

You can apply using the free school meals application form for the following schools:

  • Ascot Heath Primary School
  • College Town Primary School
  • Cranbourne Primary School
  • Crowthorne CE Primary School
  • Fox Hill Primary School
  • Garth Hill College
  • Harmans Water Primary School
  • Hawthorn Academy
  • Holly Spring Primary School
  • Jennett’s Park CE Primary School
  • Kennel Lane School
  • Kings Academy Binfield - Primary
  • Kings Academy Binfield - Secondary
  • Kings Academy Easthampstead Park
  • Kings Academy Meadow Vale
  • Kings Academy Oakwood
  • New Scotland Hill Primary School
  • Owlsmoor Primary School
  • Ranelagh School
  • Sandhurst School
  • St Joseph’s RC Primary School
  • St Margaret Clitherow RC Primary School
  • St Michael's Easthampstead CE Primary School
  • St Michael's Sandhurst CE Primary School
  • The Pines School
  • Uplands Primary School
  • Warfield CE Primary School
  • Whitegrove Primary School
  • Wildridings Primary School
  • Winkfield St Mary’s CE Primary School

In addition to these Bracknell Forest schools you can also apply for these out of Bracknell Forest schools:

  • Badgemore Primary School
  • Emmbrook Infant School
  • Emmbrook Junior School
  • Emmbrook Secondary School
  • Heathermount School
  • Nine Mile Ride Primary School
  • Shinfield Nursery and Infant School
  • St Crispin’s Secondary School
  • The Hawthornes Primary School
  • Wescott Infant School
  • Westende Junior School

If your child’s school is not listed, contact them directly to ask about the application process.

Apply for free school meals

If you cannot apply online

If you cannot apply online, you can:

  • call customer services on 01344 352000
  • download the application form below, fill it in and email it to fsm@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or to your child’s current school
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No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

The government has permanently extended the free schools meals eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds.

If you believe you are part of this group, download the form below. Complete and email it to fsm@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or to your child's school.

Depending on circumstances, additional documents may be required to process this application. You will be notified if this applies to you.

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Help with your application

If you need help with your application or you are not sure if you qualify, email fsm@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.