Important Information: Free School Meals Changes

Dear Parent/Carer

As advised by Nottinghamshire County Council, this information explains upcoming changes to free school meal eligibility

What's Changing?

Previously, some children were protected from losing free school meals due to changes in benefits. This protection is scheduled to end on March 31, 2025
Children currently receiving free school meals under this protection will continue to receive them until they finish their current secondary school phase
Children who become eligible for free school meals before March 31, 2025, will also have this protection until they finish their current school phase
Children who become eligible on or after April 1, 2025, will be assessed regularly, and may lose eligibility if their benefits change

What You Need to Do:

If you haven't applied for free school meals: Please apply online before March 31, 2025, for the quickest result. You can apply here. If you cannot apply online, call 0300 500 80 80.
If you have applied and your child was not eligible: You do not need to reapply. We will continue to assess eligibility.

Nottinghamshire County Council will inform you when your child's protected free school meal period will end and provide any further updates.

Yours sincerely,

Outwood Academy Kirkby