Free School Meals - Please Read
Please note the below information regarding Free School Meals (FSM) transitional protection.
FSM transitional protection is coming to an end on 31st March 2025, and any pupils identified as eligible before this date will be covered until the end of the school phase. We would encourage you to ensure all pupils’ eligibility is therefore reviewed before this cut-off.
From 1 April 2025, the Government's transitional protection arrangements for means tested FSM will end. Any eligible claims confirmed from this date will no longer be protected.
This means any child:
· confirmed as eligible for FSMs from 1 April 2025 will not qualify for transitional protection and will be subject to ongoing checks to confirm continued eligibility.
· already confirmed as eligible (prior to 1 April 2025) will maintain their eligibility until the end of their current phase of education. At that point, they will be re-assessed for their eligibility status e.g. year 6 moving into year 7 in September 2025.
If you already receive Free School Meals, you DO NOT need to do anything and your free school meals WILL continue but if you DO NOT currently receive free school meals, but think you may be eligible, please apply here before the end of the month:
https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500186/education_benefits/7355/free_school_meals