Before starting something new

For those still feeling a little wobbly about the start of term:

Beginnings are not gentle with everyone.
Sometimes they shake the hands and race the heart.

New does not always feel exciting.
New sometimes feels like standing on the edge of your own doubt.

But you do not need to feel ready to begin.
You only need to be willing.

Take the first step while your voice still trembles.
Courage often sounds like starting anyway

(Anon)

Mrs Westergaard, Wellbeing Team

Please click on the link here to access all our Wellbeing Weekly updates.

Free School Meals & Pupil Premium

Dear Parent or Carer,

We are writing to let you know about changes to free school meals (FSM) from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

What is changing?

Expanded entitlement for families on Universal Credit

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings.

Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility:

• Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium).  Other educational entitlements such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM.

• Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only).  Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria.  

End of transitional protections

Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals, even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. This is referred to as transitional protections.  Now that entitlement is being expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections will end at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

This means:

• Some children may no longer be eligible from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit

• Eligibility will now be based on current benefit status

What you need to do

If your child currently receives free school meals:

• We encourage everyone to reapply from now on as this is something you will need to do on an annual basis.

• In some cases, your child’s school or the local authority may contact you to confirm your details

• If you are unsure, please contact your local authority for advice.

If your child does not currently receive free school meals

• You may now be eligible under the expanded criteria

• You will need to apply through your local authority / school

Please follow this link and enter your details.  https://fsm.lgfl.net

Not sure?

If you are unsure whether you need to/can apply or if your circumstances have changed, please complete the link above for an instant decision.

Yours sincerely,

Mr AJ Skinner
Assistant Headteacher & Deputy DSL