The Government has announced that the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals will be changing.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings, will be entitled to a free meal. Under these changes, there will be two categories of FSM eligibility:
- Targeted FSM
Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, will be eligible for targeted FSM. In addition to receiving free meals, Y7-Y11 pupils eligible for targeted FSM will attract pupil premium funding for their school.
- Expanded FSM (From Sept)
Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to expanded FSM (meals only).
At Chellaston Academy we use an online system that enables you to check your eligibility against the data held by the Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking Services (ECS). As student’s circumstances may change at any time, once you have entered your details, the system will regularly update, and we will have access to up-to-date information without ever needing to contact you. This includes annual rechecks.
All you are required to do is follow the link below and enter details which include your name, date of birth and National Insurance Number:
www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/link2ict
If you currently receive FSM, it is important that you recheck your eligibility. If an eligibility check is not completed, or if the check indicates that you are no longer eligible, your FSM entitlement will finish at the end of this term.
