This is not to be confused with the government's current Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) which means that all children of Reception through to Year 2 (Early Years & Key Stage 1 children) inclusive may order school provided meals free of charge anyway. 

If your family has a change of circumstances and/or you feel that your child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) and your child is Year 3 or above, then you can apply online via the Gov.uk website and see if you are eligible. Please click on this link which will take you directly to their eligibility checker:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

** If your child is Reception to Year 2, and you feel you would still qualify for FSM status for your child, then you need to contact the school office. The school subscribes to an official eligibility checking service. Parents would need to submit their own date of birth and National Insurance number, but then your child's eligibility can be checked. The data parents submit to allow this check is not stored by the school after the application has been made.

If your child is deemed to be eligible (through either checking option), then please make yourself known to the school office. If your child is eligible, then they, of course, gain the status of being able to have free school-provided meals in school (although Reception to Yr 2 would already be eligible for a free meal through the above-explained UIFSM scenario). At present, at Birch Primary school, eligibility also opens up other in-school benefits for the child through the pupil premium funding generated for the school. Full details of such benefits can be requested by contacting the school office.

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll also qualify for the Essex County Council-run Holiday Activity and Food Programme. Food vouchers may also be available through the Household Support Fund. Find out more by contacting your local council via the Essex County Council website.