Free School Meals
At The Willows Catholic Primary School, we want every child to enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.
We understand that the cost of providing school lunches can place additional pressure on family budgets. Free school meals can help with these costs, and more families are now eligible following changes introduced in September 2026.
If you receive Universal Credit, your child is now entitled to free school meals, regardless of your household earnings.
We encourage all families who may be eligible to apply, even if their child currently brings a packed lunch or already receives a free meal in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.
Universal Infant Free School Meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal every school day, regardless of their family's income or circumstances.
This is known as Universal Infant Free School Meals.
You do not need to make a benefits-based application for your child to receive these meals.
However, if you receive Universal Credit or certain other benefits, we strongly encourage you to register your eligibility through Lancashire County Council.
This is important because your child may qualify for additional support and the school may receive extra funding through the Pupil Premium.
Who Is Eligible for Free School Meals?
From September 2026, all children from households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals, regardless of household earnings.
Children may also qualify if their parents or carers receive certain other benefits, including:
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Some families who have no recourse to public funds may also qualify under separate eligibility arrangements.
If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, please apply or contact our school office for advice.
Additional Support for Eligible Families
There are now two categories of benefits-based free school meals.
Targeted Free School Meals
These are available to families meeting the additional eligibility criteria, including households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less, after tax and excluding benefits.
As well as free school meals, children in this category may qualify for additional support, including:
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Access to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
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Other education-related assistance, depending on eligibility
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Additional Pupil Premium funding for the school
Expanded Free School Meals
Families receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400 also qualify for free school meals.
This entitlement provides a free school meal each school day, but does not automatically qualify children for HAF or additional Pupil Premium funding.
Lancashire County Council will check which category applies when you register.
Why Should I Apply If My Child Already Receives Free Meals?
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they already receive a free school meal.
However, registering for benefits-based free school meals is still important.
Depending on your circumstances, your child may qualify for additional support, and the school may receive Pupil Premium funding.
This funding helps schools provide additional educational support and opportunities for eligible pupils, enabling them to achieve their best.
By registering, you could help your child and our school, even if your child already receives a free lunch.
How Do I Apply?
Applications are made directly through Online Free School Meal Checker.
The application is straightforward, and the system will check whether your child qualifies.
If your child is already registered and has been confirmed as eligible, you do not normally need to submit a new application. Eligibility is checked again under the current arrangements.
What Happens Once My Child Is Eligible?
Once eligibility has been confirmed, your child can receive a free school meal each school day.
Our school meals are provided by Caterlink, and families can use the My Child At School (MCAS) system to manage their child's meal arrangements.
If you need assistance selecting meals or your free school meal entitlement is not showing correctly, please contact the school office.
Children receiving free school meals enjoy the same meal choices and dining arrangements as their classmates.
What Is the Holiday Activities and Food Programme?
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides eligible children with access to activities and nutritious meals during certain school holiday periods.
Activities may include sports, creative workshops, outdoor learning and opportunities to develop new skills.
Children who qualify for targeted free school meals may also be eligible for funded places on the programme.
Families who qualify only under the expanded Universal Credit entitlement do not automatically qualify for HAF.
Further information is available through Lancashire County Council.
Need Help Applying?
We understand that applying for support can sometimes feel complicated. Please do not hesitate to ask for help.
Our school office team can explain the application process and support families who are unsure how to proceed.
All enquiries will be handled sensitively and confidentially.
The Willows Catholic Primary School
Victoria Road, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2BT
Telephone: 01772 684371
Email: bursar@willows.lancs.sch.uk
We want every family to feel comfortable asking for support. If your circumstances have changed or you think you may now qualify, please get in touch.
At The Willows, we are one school family, and we are here to support one another.
