Free School Meals

Free School Meal update:
From 1st April 2025, the Government’s transitional protection arrangements for means tested Free School Meals (FSM) will end. This means that any child becoming eligible for free school meals after this date will be subject to ongoing checks to confirm continued eligibility. At present we are awaiting guidance on the frequency of these checks.

This will not impact any children who are already confirmed as eligible FSM. Those already confirmed as eligible will maintain their eligibility until the end of their current school phase of education e.g. primary or secondary. At that point, they will be re-assessed for their eligibility status.

This will apply to all year 6 moving into year 7 in September 2025. These children will then be subject to ongoing checks to confirm continued eligibility.

Free school meals really do matter, yet too many children from low income families in the UK are not registered for them or choose not to eat them. Many parents do not even realise that their child is entitled to a free school meal.
The Newbridge School supports parents to ensure that those who are eligible are able to claim their free school meals. Parents do not have to pay for school meals for their child if they receive any of the following:

Income Support.
Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
An income-related employment and support allowance.
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
Child Tax Credit

At Newbridge we operate a cashless catering system. Any student who is receiving a free school meal can not be identified, as students receiving free school meals remain anonymous.

One in five students in England is entitled to a free school meal. On average a family with 2 children spends over £600 per school year on school meals so it’s well worth checking out your entitlement. To do so, simply contact

School Food Support Service
Room 400
County Hall
Glenfield
Leicester LE3 8RF

or email [email protected]