Free school meals, school meals and milk
Free school meals for Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are offered universal free school meals. This is regardless of your household income.
You do not have to apply for universal free school meals. However, you can apply for your school to get extra funding from the government, if you receive certain benefits:
- Universal Credit - with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
Pupil premium application form (pdf)
Free school meals for Children in Year 3 and above
Children in Year 3 and above only receive free school meals if you get certain benefits. You must apply for these free school meals.
To be eligible, you must get one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
If you think you are eligible, download and complete the application form below and return it to your child's school. Alternatively, ask your child's school for a copy.
Free school meals and pupil premium application form (pdf)
Once your entitlement has been checked, your child will receive free school meals. These will continue until you stop receiving a qualifying benefit. You must let us or the school know of any changes that affect eligibility. We will also carry out regular checks of entitlement.
If your child is eligible for free school meals but does not want them, you should still apply and return an application form so your child's school gets extra funding from the government.
What happens if your child moves schools?
The entitlement to free school meals continues for children transferring between schools in Norfolk. This is subject to parents continuing to receive qualifying benefits. Records are updated using data held by the school admissions team.
Parents of children transferring to schools outside of Norfolk, should apply to the county council where the new school is situated.
Additional information and guidance can be obtained by emailing admissions@norfolk.gov.uk.
School meals
Frequently asked questions about school meals and menus.
Pupil meals
The cost of a fixed price, two-course school meal and the value of a free school meal (see further details below) is £2.30.
Adult meals are charged as follows:
- Two-course meal: £2.94 (£2.45 + £0.49 VAT)
- Main course only: £2.40 (£2.00 + £0.40 VAT)
- Dessert only: £0.54 (£0.45 + £0.09 VAT)
A wide variety of food is provided. Much of it is additive free and low in salt and sugar. This enables pupils to have a balanced meal. The menus are varied and designed to appeal to children.
If your child attends a primary or junior school with a self-service cafeteria, pupils can choose from a menu of individually priced items. The menu is on display in school so that pupils can choose what they would like to eat.
Copies of menus are available from the school.
Special diets can be provided for medical or religious reasons. If your child requires a special diet, you should give details to the school, including any recommendations. A letter from your child’s doctor should accompany any requests for special diets on medical grounds.
- If your child attends a first, infant or primary school that serves a two-course school meal, the school will tell you the arrangements for payment of school lunch money. Generally, parents usually pay on Monday for the whole week. If a pupil is absent on a day when a lunch has been paid for, the meal will be held in credit until the pupil’s return
- If your child attends a primary or junior school, which has a part cash cafeteria, only the main course of the meal is at a set price. Any food or drink chosen for the second course, is paid for on the day. Money for this course must be taken to school daily. Parents usually pay for the main course on Monday for the coming week. Credit for any meal not taken through illness or absence, will be held over until the pupil’s return
- If your child attends a primary or junior school with a self-service cafeteria, they may choose from a menu of individually priced items, which are paid for at the time they are taken. Pupils should therefore take money to school each day. The menu is on display in school so that pupils can choose what they would like to eat and calculate in advance how much money it will cost them
Copies of menus and price lists are available from the school.
Pupils bringing packed lunches to school are provided with a chair and a table at which to eat their meal. Cutlery and crockery are not provided and therefore children wishing to have a drink should bring their own cups. Drinking water is available.
In the interests of hygiene and safety, parents are asked to co-operate with the school in the provision of packed lunches. Lunches should be packed in leakproof containers. Canned drinks, vacuum flasks and glass bottles should be avoided. Parents are advised that packed lunches are not refrigerated at school.
School milk
All maintained primary, infant, junior and secondary schools are legally required to make milk available for drinking during school hours.
Children age 5-11 years can get a standard carton of milk for 20p.
