You may have heard that the rules for Free School Meals (FSM) changed from September 2026. We would like to explain the difference between Targeted FSM and Expanded FSM in a simple way.
What is Targeted FSM?
Targeted FSM is for children whose families receive certain benefits, including Universal Credit, and have a household income below the government's set threshold.
Children who qualify for Targeted FSM:
- Receive a free school meal each day.
- Help the school receive additional funding called Pupil Premium.
- May qualify for other support, such as Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes and some transport assistance.
What is Expanded FSM?
Expanded FSM is a new category introduced from September 2026.
Children who qualify for Expanded FSM:
- Receive a free school meal each day.
- Live in a household that receives Universal Credit but exceeds the income threshold for Targeted FSM.
- Do not attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.
- Do not automatically qualify for some of the additional benefits linked to Targeted FSM.
Why does this matter?
The most important thing is that both Targeted FSM and Expanded FSM provide your child with a free school meal each day.
However, it is important that schools know which category a child falls into because this affects:
- The funding the school receives to support pupils.
- Access to some additional schemes and services.
Check Your Eligibility
We encourage all families who receive Universal Credit to complete a Free School Meals eligibility check, even if your child currently receives free meals.
Lime Trust uses the LGfL Free School Meals Eligibility Checker, which provides a quick and secure way to check entitlement. You can access the checker here:
LGfL Free School Meals Eligibility Checker
By completing a check, you can help ensure that:
- Your child receives any support they are entitled to.
- The school receives any available funding to support pupils.
- Your FSM status is accurate under the new arrangements.
Need Help?
If you are unsure whether your child may be eligible, or if you would like support completing the check, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ticketing Policy for School Events
- Parents, carers, governors and students of Willowfield School may purchase tickets.
- Tickets for school events can only be purchased in advance from the school.
- Arrangements for ticket sales will be publicised on the website
- Payment for all tickets is required at the point of sale.
- Tickets not required on the evening of the performance will NOT be entitled to a refund.
- Tickets are sold subject to availability
- Tickets may be subject to a maximum quantity per person
- Tickets are not available for sale on the door at the event.
- Tickets purchased in advance will be allocated to a named individual
- Tickets may not be re-sold, traded or transferred to another individual.
- Anyone attempting to gain entry with a ticket that has been re-sold, traded or transferred will be refused entry.
- The Headteacher reserves the right to refuse admission to any ticket holder at his own discretion
- The audience are expected to behave in an appropriate manner.
- Anyone failing to do so may be required by the school to leave the performance
Charging Policy
Information on Willowfield School charging policy, as agreed with school governors can be found in the Information/Key Policies section of this website.
Charging Policy