Free School Meals

Free School Meals and Dining at All Saints Catholic School

 From 01 September 2026, England’s Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility has changed with more families becoming eligible for support.

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, FSM eligibility will expand to include all children from households receiving Universal Credit who attend eligible schools.

This removes the previous ÂŁ7,400 income cap.

You may also qualify for free school meals for your child if:

  • You are an asylum seeker
  • You live outside Barking and Dagenham but meet the previous criteria and your child is attending a school in the borough

Since 2018, if your child qualified for Free School Meals, they kept the award if your circumstances changed. This stopped on 31 August 2026, and you may see changes to your Free School Meal award with some families no longer being eligible for a free meal if their circumstances have changed. 

All current Free School Meals will automatically be re-checked in July each year and, where still eligible, carried over and awarded for your child from 1st September each year. 

This also includes any child moving from infants to junior or junior to secondary schools within the Local Authority area.

For further information regarding Free School Meals and Pupil Premium, and to make a Free School Meals Application, please visit https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/free-school-meals-and-pupil-premium

Check your eligibility -  https://fsm.lgfl.net/ 

 

Please note:  Only one FSM visit to the canteen is possible during the school day.  An item cannot be purchased using FSM in morning break nor for anything other than a full meal at lunch. . If you wish to purchase something at morning break (YR11 and6th Form only), then please expect to have the funds on your child’s ParentPay Account to meet the asking price.

Free School Meal Allocation Includes:

1 x Main Meal
1 x Dessert

What is a main meal?

A main meal may consist of one of the following or something similar:

  • Soup of the day & one bread roll
  • A meat, poultry or fish dish
  • A vegetarian meal
  • Jacket potato with 2 fillings
  • Vegetables of the day
  • 3 salads with a bread roll
  • One sandwich or baguette
  • Above accompanied with any vegetables/salads of the day

What is a dessert?

A dessert may consist of one of the following or something similar:

  • One fresh fruit
  • Dessert of the day
  • Fresh fruit salad
  • Yogurt/Cake

Drinks

Free squash and water will be available during lunches. All other drinks will be charged accordingly.