Financial Support and Free School Meals

Free School Meals

At Whitwick, we recognise the benefits of providing healthy school meals to our most disadvantaged pupils.

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit who attend school will be entitled to a free school meal.

There are  two categories of benefits-based Free School Meals:

• Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
• Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit.

Pupils who are, or have been, eligible for FSM over the last 6 years are part of the ‘Ever 6’ FSM cohort and will still receive FSM. 

Financial Support

If your child is eligible for ‘Free School Meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll receive extra funding called ‘Pupil Premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.

For your child, this can benefit you through:

- Discounted trips

- Discounted residentials

- Free Music Lessons (Yr3-6)

- Discounted Breakfast and After-School Club (Rockhopper Club).

To apply for Free School Meals, please click here