Free school meals can save families money and, in some circumstances, generate additional funding for Waterloo through the Pupil Premium.

From September 2026, all school-aged children living in households receiving Universal Credit can qualify for free school meals, regardless of household earnings. However, there are different categories of eligibility, and not every free-meal entitlement generates Pupil Premium funding.

We encourage every family receiving a qualifying benefit to complete an application—even if their child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and already receives a free meal automatically.

Understanding the different entitlements

Entitlement	Who is eligible?	Free meal?	Pupil Premium funding?
Universal Infant Free School Meals	Every pupil in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2	Yes	Only if the family also qualifies for Targeted Free School Meals
Targeted Free School Meals	Eligible lower-income households receiving Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit	Yes	Yes
Expanded Free School Meals	Households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400	Yes	No

These arrangements apply equally to pupils learning within Waterloo’s mainstream and specialist provision classes.

Changes from September 2026

From 1 September 2026, benefits-related free school meals are divided into two categories.

Targeted Free School Meals

This category includes children from households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, as well as certain households receiving other qualifying support.

Children in this category:

• receive a free school meal;

• attract Pupil Premium and other disadvantage funding for Waterloo;

• may be eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food programme; and

• may qualify for other support linked to targeted free-school-meal eligibility.

Expanded Free School Meals

This new category covers children from households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400.

Children in this category:

• receive a free school meal; but

• do not attract Pupil Premium or other entitlements linked specifically to Targeted Free School Meals.

The meal entitlement is the same. Children are not identified or treated differently according to their eligibility category.

Further information about the changes is available on Sefton Council’s Free School Meals page.

Which benefits may qualify?

From September 2026, your child may qualify if you or your partner receives:

• Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings;

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance;

• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit; or

• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Some families with no recourse to public funds may also qualify under separate national criteria. Please contact the school office or Sefton Council if you think this may apply to your family.

A claim must be made and eligibility must be verified before benefits-related free school meals can begin.

Already receiving Free School Meals?

If your child already receives benefits-related free school meals, Sefton Council advises that you do not need to reapply for September 2026.

Sefton is reviewing existing claims and will inform Waterloo whether the entitlement will:

• continue as Targeted Free School Meals;

• continue as Expanded Free School Meals; or

• end because the household no longer receives a qualifying benefit.

Please tell Sefton Council if:

• your address changes;

• your child moves school; or

• your financial circumstances change.

If you have another child starting school, you should make sure that the new child has been added to your existing claim.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2

Every pupil in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is entitled to a free school meal through Universal Infant Free School Meals. This entitlement is not based upon household income, and families do not need to apply for the meal itself.

However, you should still apply for benefits-related free school meals if you receive a qualifying benefit.

This allows Sefton Council to identify whether your child qualifies for Targeted Free School Meals and whether Waterloo can receive Pupil Premium funding.

Without an application, a child may receive their universal infant meal while the school misses out on funding which could support teaching, intervention, pastoral care and wider opportunities.

What happens in Year 3?

Universal Infant Free School Meals end when a child completes Year 2.

From the beginning of Year 3, families must normally pay for school meals unless the child has been confirmed as eligible for Targeted or Expanded Free School Meals.

Applying while your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 helps ensure that any continuing entitlement is identified before they move into Key Stage 2.

Nursery children

A Nursery child from a family receiving a qualifying benefit may be eligible for a free school meal if they attend for a full day, including education both before and after the lunchtime period.

Nursery eligibility depends upon the child’s sessions and circumstances. Please speak to the school office so that we can help you check.

How to apply

Applications are made through Sefton Council.

Apply for Free School Meals through Sefton Council

The online eligibility check is confidential. Sefton Council will inform the school of the outcome.If you do not have a Sefton post code, you must apply via your local council.

If you have difficulty completing the application, please contact Waterloo. We can provide access to a device, help you understand the form or support you to contact Sefton.

Email: admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk
Telephone: 0151 928 4274

Ordering a free school meal

Waterloo’s meals are provided by Dolce and ordered through SchoolGrid.

A child who is eligible for free school meals must still have their meal selected or ordered through the usual SchoolGrid arrangements. The meal will then be charged at the appropriate free-school-meal rate.

Eligibility does not restrict the child to a different menu. Pupils choose from the same available meal options as their peers, subject to dietary and allergen arrangements.

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

It is not:

• money paid directly to parents;

• a personal account belonging to an individual pupil; or

• required to be spent in exactly the same way for every eligible child.

Waterloo assesses the barriers affecting its pupils and uses the funding strategically to improve outcomes.

Pupil Premium may be used to support:

• high-quality teaching and staff development;

• phonics, reading, writing and mathematics;

• targeted academic intervention;

• assessment and diagnostic resources;

• attendance and punctuality;

• communication and language;

• pastoral and emotional wellbeing;

• family and Early Help support;

• educational visits and residential experiences;

• clubs, enrichment and cultural opportunities; and

• practical barriers to participation.

Some approaches may support an individual pupil. Others may support a group or improve teaching and provision across the school where there is a clear benefit for disadvantaged pupils.

Who attracts Pupil Premium funding?

Pupil Premium funding may be provided for:

• pupils currently eligible for Targeted Free School Meals;

• pupils who have been eligible for Targeted Free School Meals during the previous six years;

• children looked after by a local authority;

• children who were previously looked after, including some children who have been adopted from care; and

• eligible children from service families.

Different funding and administrative arrangements apply to looked-after children, previously looked-after children and service pupils.

Parents and carers of previously looked-after children should ensure that Waterloo is aware of their child’s status so that the appropriate support and funding can be considered. Information will be handled sensitively.

Wider help for eligible families

Targeted Free School Meal eligibility may also provide access to support beyond the daily meal, including the Holiday Activities and Food programme and some extended travel entitlements.

At Waterloo, eligibility may also be considered when supporting access to:

• trips and educational visits;

• residential experiences;

• clubs and enrichment;

• pre-loved uniform;

• learning resources; and

• other practical support.

Families entitled to benefits-related free school meals may be asked to make a reduced contribution—or, in some circumstances, no contribution—towards trips and residential experiences.

Support is arranged discreetly. Children will not be publicly identified or made to feel different.

Our approach to disadvantaged pupils

Pupil Premium funding is one part of Waterloo’s wider commitment to equity.

We identify the barriers affecting each child, provide ambitious teaching and appropriate support, and regularly review whether our actions are improving progress, attendance, participation and wellbeing.

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement

Waterloo publishes an annual Pupil Premium Strategy Statement using the Department for Education’s required template.

The statement explains:

• the barriers affecting disadvantaged pupils at Waterloo;

• the outcomes we are seeking;

• how the funding will be used;

• the evidence supporting our chosen approaches; and

• the impact of the previous year’s spending.

Our 2026–2027 statement will be published by 31 December 2026 and reviewed annually.

Need help?

Please contact the school office if:

• you are unsure whether you qualify;

• your circumstances have recently changed;

• you need help completing the application;

• you are struggling with meal costs;

• your child’s eligibility appears incorrect; or

• wider financial difficulties are affecting your child.

We will listen and treat your information sensitively.

Email: admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk
Telephone: 0151 928 4274

Additional help with financial, housing or family difficulties is available through our Family Support offer.