Free School Meals

Who is eligible for free school meals?

Free school meals

At Folville Junior School, we encourage all eligible families to apply for free school meals.

For the 2026–27 school year, eligibility has expanded to include all children in households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings. In Leicester, meals under the expanded scheme became available from 24 August 2026.

There are now two categories: targeted free school meals and expanded free school meals.

What is the difference?

Children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, after tax and excluding benefits. Other qualifying routes are outlined below.

Both categories provide a free school lunch each school day.

Other routes to eligibility include support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Families receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit may also qualify.

Some families with no recourse to public funds may be eligible, subject to income and immigration criteria. Leicester City Council can advise on the application and evidence required.

How to apply

Apply online through Leicester City Council.

If your household receives Universal Credit, you can apply even if you are working or your earnings are above £7,400. If your child was previously refused free school meals, please apply again under the expanded criteria.

Leicester City Council will check your eligibility and confirm which category applies.

What is the pupil premium?

Pupil premium is additional government funding that helps schools support disadvantaged pupils’ learning and achievement. At Folville, it supports our work to remove barriers to learning and help children succeed.

Please register if you qualify for targeted free school meals, even if your child prefers a packed lunch. Registering helps ensure the school receives the funding it is entitled to.

Children who qualify only through expanded free school meals do not attract pupil premium through that category. However, funding may continue where a child has previously qualified for benefits-related free school meals within the last six years.

Moving from infant to junior school

Universal infant free school meals cover Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. This automatic entitlement ends when children move into Year 3. Families should ensure their eligibility for targeted or expanded free school meals has been confirmed.

Need help?

Please contact our school office for support, or contact Leicester City Council:

Email: education-fsm@leicester.gov.uk
Telephone: 0116 454 1009, option 3

For further details, visit Leicester City Council’s free school meals page.