Even if your child received free school meals during the previous academic year, you must submit a new application for each child for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
Applications are now open.
Free school meals 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.
Changes to free school meal eligibility 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 previous transitional protection arrangements ended at the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Transitional protection allowed some children to continue receiving free school meals even if their family circumstances changed.
Eligibility is now assessed under the new national criteria.
Types of free school meal eligibility
There are now 2 types of free school meal eligibility. These are:
- targeted free school meals
- expanded free school meals
Targeted free school meals
Children eligible for targeted free school meals get:
- free school meals
- access to the holiday activities and food programme
- Pupil Premium funding for their school
Expanded free school meals
Children eligible for expanded free school meals only get free school meals.
Schools do not receive Pupil Premium funding for children eligible under the expanded free school meal criteria.
What has stayed the same
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 still get universal infant free school meals (UIFSM).
However, if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and is eligible for targeted free school meals, it is still important that you submit an application.
Although your child already receives a free school meal through UIFSM, a successful targeted free school meal application means the school can receive additional government funding through the Pupil Premium.
Eligibility
For targeted free school meals:
- Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
- Households qualifying for free meals because they are in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- 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:
- 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.
If you have not already applied, you should submit an application as soon as possible. Early applications help make sure that free school meal arrangements are in place right away. It helps schools and families to access support as quickly as possible.
Applying quickly also helps schools identify eligible pupils and put the appropriate support in place throughout the academic year.
How to apply
You can apply using the free school meals application form for the following schools:
- Ascot Heath Primary School
- Binfield CE 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.
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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Free school meals application form
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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.