From the 2026 - 2027 academic year, the government is expanding the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM) to all children in households receiving Universal Credit.
In addition, households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual income of £7,400 or less who register for Free School Meals could raise an additional £1,320 for the school to help fund valuable support like additional teaching staff, resources or after-school activities.
As part of these changes, schools are now required to recheck all pupil FSM eligibility annually. These checks will take place in June and July, in readiness for the new academic year. To support this process, we kindly ask parents/carers to provide the following information. All information will be treated confidentially and stored securely for the duration of the academic year only.
If you are receiving Universal Credit and your child is currently in Years 2-5, please provide evidence of this by downloading a copy of your latest Universal Credit statement and emailing to universalcredit@whitehall.academy
Please note: Pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to receive free meals through the government’s Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme.
If your household income is below £7,400 and your child is in any year group, please provide the following information by email to finance@whitehall.academy
Child’s Name, Child’s Date of birth, parent/carer’s Name, Parent/carer’s Date of birth
Parent/carer’s National Insurance number, Parent/carers Email address, Parent/carers mobile number
It is important that this information is received before the end of the school year, so we would be grateful if you would complete and return as soon as possible.
Thank you
