Help with school costs
If you're on a low income, you might be able to get help with some of the costs of sending your child to school, including school meals, transport and uniform. You're probably on a low income if you get benefits such as tax credits or Employment and Support Allowance. If you're not sure, you can ask your local council.
Eligibility (years 3 and above)
The UK government funds free school meals for children in England who are attending a primary or secondary state school, free school, or academy.
Free school meals are provided for all children in reception, year 1 and year 2, and for all primary school children in certain local authority areas.
When free school meals are not provided universally, they are only available to certain children. A child will qualify for free school meals when their family receives certain benefits or asylum support, or when the child's family has no recourse to public funds and they meet an income threshold. The same qualifying requirements apply to children in full-time education who are younger than the compulsory school age.
Free school meals are not classed as a 'public fund' for immigration purposes and can be accessed by a child regardless of their immigration status when their family meets the qualifying requirements.
Apply for a Place at School
Applications open on different days in each local council area.
Applying for a primary school place
You must apply for a primary school place a year before your child can start school. The school starting age is 4.
Your child will be 3 or have just turned 4 when you apply.
This is true even if you want your child to start later - you’ll be able to ask for a later start when you apply.
Applications open in September each year and close on 15 January.
Applying for a secondary school place
Applications usually open on 1 September. You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.