Free School Meals

Periods of free school meal (FSM) eligibility since the previous census for those pupils on roll on census day; including any periods of FSM eligibility prior to pupils joining the current school; are returned for in all census collections.

Pupils may only be recorded as FSM eligible if they meet the FSM eligibility criteria (ie in respect to family income) and make a claim.

Pupils who are in receipt of a free school lunch solely due to the infant pupil universal entitlement should not be recorded as FSM eligible unless they meet normal criteria and have a claim approved by the LA.