Lunches cost £3.20 per day and can be pre-ordered on the Relish App.
The menus are on a 3 week rota:
Can you get free school meals?
Income assessed FSM – 2026/27 school year
Your child will be able to get FSM if you receive any of the following:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit – however see below details
From the start of the 2026/27 school year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal. However, there will be 2 categories of Universal Credit based FSM :
- Targeted FSM: which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
- Expanded FSM: a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings above £7,400.
From September 2026, other education entitlements linked to FSM (such as the Holiday Activities and Food programme, and School Travel Assistance) will be based upon those who meet the Targeted FSM criteria. Those who fall into the expanded FSM group will be entitled to meals only.
Under the new criteria, your FSM eligibility will be checked annually and the result will be valid for the full academic year.
If you receive Universal Credit and do not currently qualify for FSM due to earning over the threshold of £7,400, but would now qualify from September 2026, you can now apply in advance.
If you are already in receipt of Free School Meals, you do not need to reapply for September 2026. You will be contacted via letter to inform you whether your claim will continue or whether this has ended due to the end of your transitional protection.
Apply for Free School Meals through Cheshire West and Chester website or find out more about whether or not you can claim here.
It is free to check if are able to get free school meals.
Alternatively please phone: 0300 1237039
Transitional Protections
Since 1 April 2018, all existing FSM claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out, regardless of any change in household circumstances that would have ended eligibility.
However this protection will end at the close of the 2025/26 school year and households must meet the eligibility criteria for FSM to continue receiving this support.
School Holiday Support payment
If you receive Free School Meals and wish to claim support during the school holidays, please see our School holiday support payment page.
Changes to tell us about
- you start work and come off benefits
- your benefit changes
- you change address
- your child changes school
- you have another child starting school for the first time
Report a change in circumstances
Universal FSM
Your child will be able to get FSM if they are in a government-funded school and they are in:
- reception – you can apply as soon as your child’s school place has been confirmed
- year 1
- year 2
Whilst your child will automatically receive these free meals, if you meet the above income based criteria, it is recommended that you still apply for support as this may allow you to access additional benefits such as the Holiday Activities and Food scheme and School Holiday Support Payments. This will also allow your child’s school to claim additional funding that can be used to improve your child’s education.
