From September 2026, more children and young people will be able to receive a free meal at school. This is because free school meal eligibility is expanding to include children from households receiving Universal Credit. Many more families may now be eligible, so we are asking parents and carers to apply if they think this could apply to them.

Applying is worth checking. It could save your family money each week and help make sure your child can have a meal in school if they want one. Please apply if:

1. Your household receives Universal Credit
2. Your household receives another qualifying benefit
3. Your child currently receives free school meals or has done in the past. You will still need to apply to confirm eligibility from September 2026
4. Your circumstances have changed and you think your child may now be eligible
5. Your young person is in Sixth Form or school-based post 16 provision and you think they may be eligible

You do not need to work out whether your child qualifies. You only need to apply. The eligibility check will do the rest.

Your child will not be treated differently

Children and young people who receive free school meals are not treated differently in school. Information shared as part of a free school meal application is handled carefully and used to check eligibility.

If your child is eligible, they will use the school meal system in the usual way.

Your child can still bring a packed lunch if they prefer. Registering simply means they can have a free school meal when they want one.

Why applying matters

There are two types of benefits based free school meals from September 2026.

Some pupils will meet the criteria for Targeted free school meals. This means they can receive a free meal and the school may receive additional funding to support pupils. Other pupils will meet the criteria for Expanded free school meals. This means they can receive a free meal, but this does not automatically bring additional school funding. You do not need to decide which category applies. The check will confirm this.

How to apply

Applying should only take a few minutes.

Apply using this link https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ and enter ‘The University of Birmingham School’ in the School name. In some cases, it can take up to 42 days for the checking service to communicate your eligibility to our School.

Please apply by 1st September 2026. If your child currently receives free school meals, you will still need to apply to check and confirm your eligibility under the new change.

We can help

If you would like help, please contact the School office on 0121 796 5000.

Thank you for taking the time to check whether your child may be eligible.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Mason

Director of Partnerships and Engagement