Free School Meals and Financial Support

Free School Meals

The free school meals eligibility criteria are changing from the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

The protection that is currently in place for children will finish at the end of the current academic year. This means that all children that are currently entitled to free school meals must be rechecked to ensure they are still eligible before the autumn 2026 census date.

From 1 September 2026, there will be 2 categories of eligibility for free school meals:

Targeted: this covers children in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. These children will attract pupil premium and other disadvantaged funding for their schools.

Expanded: this covers children who are in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400.

Children in the Expanded category will be entitled to free school meals only. This means they will not be eligible for pupil premium. Any family that believes they will be eligible under the new expanded criteria must submit an application form to have their eligibility checked.

Please check that you have registered on the following site:

Free School Meals Checker - Check Eligibility Online | LGfL FSM

Should you need any support with this, please complete the form below and we can do this for you. For all questions, please contact attendanceoffice@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

Financial Support

Please be advised that financial support is available from the school subject to status for the School Transportation Service and Trips of a Lifetime programme.  Parents who wish to apply for financial support for these aspects of the school's work should write confidentially to the Headteacher outlining their circumstances and the level of subsidy/discount required.  Details of how to contact us can be accessed by clicking here.

For information regarding financial support for Sixth Form study, please refer to the post-16 Bursary information located in the Sixth Form section of this website which can accessed by clicking here.