There are two key changes in Pupil Premium and Free School Meals from September 2026:  

1. All children in households receiving Universal Credit are now eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of household earnings. However, schools only receive Pupil Premium funding for pupils whose household earnings meet the existing eligibility criteria, including the £7,400 earned income threshold for families receiving Universal Credit. 

2. Transitional protection ended at the end of July 2026. Transitional protection was in place from April 2018 and meant that pupils becoming eligible for free meals under the benefits-based criteria previously retained their entitlement for 6 years, even if their household circumstances changed. This protection no longer applies, and parents / carers should reapply for free school meals on an annual basis. 

What is Pupil Premium? 

Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Government to help schools support disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. 

Is Pupil Premium the same as Free School Meals? 

No. Free School Meals (FSM) provide eligible students with a free meal each school day. 

Pupil Premium is additional funding paid directly to schools to support the education and wellbeing of disadvantaged students. 

Although there is a close link between FSM eligibility and Pupil Premium funding, from September 2026 some students may qualify for Free School Meals without attracting Pupil Premium funding for the school. 

Who can apply for Free School Meals? 

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Government have expanded FSM eligibility to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:  

• Universal Credit 
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 

Households may also be entitled to free school meals if they: 

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit 
• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds 

 If you are unsure whether you are eligible or not, please make an application via the LGfL online portal, as this will confirm whether your child is entitled to Free School Meals. 

Which students attract Pupil Premium funding? 

Students who are eligible under the Government's benefits-based Free School Meals criteria continue to attract Pupil Premium funding for the school. 

Pupils in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of over £7,400 are eligible for free school meals, but the school will not receive pupil premium funding for them. 

What support will be given to Pupil Premium students? 

All students receive high-quality teaching and support to help them achieve their potential. Pupil Premium students may also benefit from additional academic support, targeted interventions, enrichment opportunities, and enhanced pastoral guidance where a need is identified. 

All trips have an automatic discount applied for eligible Pupil Premium students, which will be reflected in the amount to pay on ParentPay. 

The school will also provide revision resources where required and may contribute towards music lessons and other enrichment opportunities. 

If you need any further support, for example with uniform costs or participation in other school activities, please contact Mandi Davies, our Pupil Premium Co-ordinator via the school mailbox mailbox@gordanoschool.org.uk. We will do all we can to support your child. 

This funding makes a significant difference to both individual students and the wider school community, therefore we would encourage all families who think they may be eligible to apply. 

The Expectation Chart below outlines how the school community works together to support our Pupil Premium and disadvantaged students. 

 

How does my child access their Free School Meal each day? 

Students' ParentPay accounts are credited daily with the value of their Free School Meal entitlement which is £3.85. Students access this in exactly the same way as all other students purchasing food in the Canteen and Dining Hall, ensuring confidentiality and ease of use.

From September 2026, the daily allowance has been increased to allow students to purchase a breakfast item with an additional allowance of £1.45 (to be used during breakfast service only). 

How do I apply for Free School Meals? 

You can check your eligibility and apply for Free School Meals via the link below: 

Free School Meals Checker - Check Eligibility and Apply Online | LGfL FSM  

Where can I find more information? 

Further information is available on the Lighthouse School Partnership website here. 

Contact our Pupil Premium Co-ordinator Mandi Davies via mailbox@gordanoschool.org.uk 

Further information can also be found in our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement and Pupil Premium Plus Strategy documents below.