Free School Meals: Could Your Family Be Eligible?

If your family receives certain benefits or has a low household income, your child may be entitled to free school meals. Applying not only ensures your child gets a nutritious meal every school day, but it also provides our school with vital extra government funding to support your child’s education and the wider school community.

Your family may be eligible if you receive:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• 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 (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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit

How This Brings Extra Support for Your Child

When you apply for free school meals, our school receives additional government funding known as Pupil Premium, which is dedicated to enhancing your child’s education. This funding enables us to offer extra teaching assistant support, individual music tuition, school clubs, and a range of targeted initiatives. These opportunities support your child and their peers in every aspect of school life.

It is important to note that our school receives this extra funding only when families apply for free school meals – even if your child already receives meals through the Universal Infant Free School Meals Scheme.

By applying, you are directly contributing to the quality of support and opportunities available to your child and their peers.

How to Apply

Apply Online (Recommended)

The quickest and easiest way to apply is through the eFree School Meals Service online.

If you need help with the electronic form, contact the Council FSM team on 0117 903 7990

Paper Application

You can also apply by filling in Bristol City Council's free school meals form (PDF).

Send your completed form to:
Free School Meals
Bristol City Council
PO Box 3176
Bristol BS3 9FS

Or email a scanned copy to: free.school.meals@bristol.gov.uk

If you need help completing, scanning, or submitting your form, don't hesitate to ask our office team.

About Pupil Premium

The government introduced Pupil Premium funding in 2011 to help ensure that children from families facing financial challenges receive the support they need to fulfil their potential. Schools receive this funding for children who have been registered for free school meals at any time in the last six years, as well as for those who are looked after by the Local Authority or are children of service personnel.

Current Funding Levels

• £1,515 per child for the 2025/26 academic year
• £2,630 for Looked After and Previously Looked After children
• Our total Pupil Premium budget is £53,025 (£16,665 Infants and £36,360 Juniors)

How We Use This Funding

The School Leadership Team and Governing Body carefully monitor how we use all Pupil Premium funding to ensure it has the maximum impact on your child's education. Our Pupil Premium Statement shows exactly how we spend this funding and what difference it makes.

View our Pupil Premium Strategy 2024–2027 (PDF) to see our detailed plans and impact reports.

Need Help?

If you have any questions about eligibility or need help with your application, contact:

• School office: 0117 377 3290
• Bristol City Council FSM team: 0117 903 7990

We're here to help ensure your child gets all the support they're entitled to.