Children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 are all entitled to UiFSM (Universal Infant Free School Meals).

We encourage families who are entitled to standard free school meals to register for these even if you are in EYFS or KS1 or choose to bring a packed lunch to school.  Registering for free meals could raise extra funds for the school, to fund valuable support like extra tuition for your child.

If you think you may be eligible for free school meals please check these details:

• if you already receive housing benefit or council tax support, your income related free school meals will be given automatically and you don’t need to apply
• if you have already applied for help with school uniforms, we will look at the free school meals at the same time and you don’t need to apply separately
• if you don’t receive housing benefit or council tax support, you need to apply for free school meals

If you get any of the benefits below, you can claim free school meals:

• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance Income based
• Employment Support Allowance Income related
• Support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit – as long as your letter shows you have an income of less than £16,190 and do not get Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit – your earned income must be less than £7,400 a year

If you think you may be eligible for free school meals please use this link to apply through the local authority: Rochdale Free School Meals.

In Key Stage 2, if you are not entitled to free school meals, you may choose to send your child with a packed lunch.