Free School Meals

About Free School Meals 

If you are eligible for free school meals you could be saving yourself hundreds of pounds a year. You could also provide further funding for the school to help with the provision of educational resources to support your child and other children at the school.

Students eligible for free school meals automatically have their student card credited each day, and they can use this allowance at lunchtime to purchase any two items. The system is “invisible”, so students are not aware who is claiming a free school meal.

Parents can top up these accounts via Parent Pay if they want their child to be able to spend more than the free school meal allowance or to make purchases at times other than lunchtime.

Change in Guidelines: DfE Update 11 June 2025

Following a recent announcement by the Department for Education, the government has now extended transitional protections for free school meals. As per guidance published on 11 June 2025, students who are currently entitled to free school meals in Year 6 will continue to receive them automatically through to the end of the 2025/26 academic year.

This now means there is no need to reapply when your child moves to Year 7 at Orleans Park in September 2025.

Key points to note:

• If your child is currently receiving free school meals in Year 6, their entitlement will automatically continue into Year 7 and remain in place until at least July 2026, regardless of any changes in your household income or Universal Credit status.

• You do not need to take any further action if your child is already in receipt of free school meals.

• If your child is not currently entitled to free school meals but you believe you may be eligible, you are still encouraged to apply. You can check eligibility using the online Eligibility Checker.

From March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because claimants are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the students current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary). This is as per the published Free school meals guidance.

Can I apply?

Applicants must be in possesion of either a National Insurance number OR a National Asylum Support Service number. 

Until the end of the school year 25/26, to be eligible for free school meals you must receive one of the below benefits.

The way this entitlement is to be awarded will be changing from September 2026.  For further details and the latest updates, families are strongly encouraged to visit the gov.uk website.

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get).

How to Apply?

Applications to receive free school meals whilst attending Orleans Park are made directly via the school. Click on the link below to complete your application form:

Free School Meals at Orleans Park School 

You can also access the Free School Meals Eligibility Checker by clicking below:

Eligibility Checker

What Happens Next?

Once we receive your application we will let you know the outcome by email. We aim to do this as soon as possible after receiving your application. 

Please note that Orleans Park is not responsible for setting the rules or policies regarding eligibility. While we are happy to assist where possible with the application process, we are only able to facilitate the administration of the scheme and cannot provide individual advice or make decisions regarding entitlement.

Contact Information

If you need to speak to someone regarding your application, please email us at freeschoolmeals@orleanspark.school