--- title: "Free School Meals" url: "https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/free-school-meals" school: "Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School" --- # Free School Meals ## Free School Meals From September 2026, eligibility for free school meals has been expanded. **All children whose families receive Universal Credit are now eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of household earnings.** This means that many more families may now qualify. ### Types of Free School Meal Entitlement There are now two categories of benefits-based free school meals: **Targeted Free School Meals (FSM)** This applies to pupils whose families: - receive Universal Credit - have household earnings of £7,400 or less, after tax and excluding benefits Children in this category may also be eligible for additional support, including the **Pupil Premium**, the **Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme** and certain forms of school travel assistance. **Expanded Free School Meals (FSM)** From September 2026, children whose families receive Universal Credit but have household earnings **above £7,400** are also eligible for Free School Meals. Children in this category receive a free school meal but do not receive the additional benefits associated with Targeted Free School Meals. ### Applying for Free School Meals Applications for Free School Meals must be made through **Kent County Council (KCC)**. KCC checks eligibility and processes applications. If your application is successful, KCC will notify the school directly. If you think your child may now be eligible, **we encourage you to apply even if you have not previously qualified**. [Apply for Free School Meals through Kent County Council](https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals) KCC aims to process applications straight away. If your application is successful, your child should be able to receive a free school meal within 24 hours. ### Do You Need to Reapply? If your child is already registered as eligible for Free School Meals through Kent County Council, **you do not need to make a new application simply because the eligibility rules have changed**. However, if your child has recently joined Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School and their previous school used a different eligibility-checking system, you may need to make a new application through KCC. If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, we recommend applying through KCC. They will check your circumstances and confirm whether your child qualifies. ## Universal Infant Free School Meals All children in **Reception, Year 1 and Year 2** are entitled to a free school meal under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme, regardless of household income. However, if you think your child may qualify for **Targeted Free School Meals**, it is still important to apply through KCC. This can ensure that your child is recorded as eligible for additional support such as Pupil Premium where applicable. ### Key Information - [Admissions](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/admissions) - [Adverse Weather](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/adverse-weather) - [→ Hot Weather Guidance](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/adverse-weather/hot-weather-guidance) - [Breakfast & After-School Club](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/bridge-bees-after-school-club) - [Data Protection & GDPR](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/data-protection-gdpr) - [Equality & Diversity](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/equality) - [Homework](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/homework) - [Inclusion & SEN](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/inclusion-sen) - [PE Days](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/pe-days) - [Policies](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/policies) - [Remote Education](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/remote-education) - [School Meals](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals) - [→ Free School Meals](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/free-school-meals) - [→ Nut-Free Policy](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/nut-free-policy-guidance) - [Term Dates](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/term-dates) - [The School Day](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/the-school-day) - [Travelling to School](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/travelling-to-school) - [Uniform and PE Kit](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/uniform) - [Website Accessibility](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/policies/accessibility-statement) ![Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School](https://files.schudio.com/bridge-patrixbourne-cep-school-2/images/logo/Untitled_design_(13).png) #### Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School Conyngham Lane Canterbury Kent CT4 5JX 01227 830276 #### Quick Links - [Accelerated Reader](https://login.renaissance.com/12d2c70d-6700-47cc-8697-963c18493e4b/student?state=15f6cdf1-f2d2-403e-9e79-11dbb19009d1) - [BromCom ](https://cloudmis.bromcom.com/Nucleus/Framework/Login.aspx) - [Bromcom Help Centre](https://www.docs.bromcom.com) - [BromCom Training Portal](https://bridgeandpatrixbourne.bromcom.efrontlearning.com/) #### Useful Links - [Admission](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/admissions) - [Contact Us](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/contact) - [Inclusion & SEN](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/inclusion-sen) - [PTFA](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/parents/ptfa) - [Safeguarding](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/safeguarding/the-safeguarding-welfare-team) - [Term Dates](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/term-dates) #### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bridge.patrixbourne.school) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bridge.patrixbourne.school/) © Copyright 2025–2026 Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.bridge.kent.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)