Further to information circulated in Ecourier on 7th July 2026, in relation to the new expanded and targeted FSM offer (Further information available here : FSM guidance ), the expansion of the FSM offer to include both targeted and expanded categories will also have significant impacts for School funding and it is important that Schools ensure October 2026 School Census data is correct to reflected this.
To reflect the extension of the FSM offer Schools will receive funding based on FSM rates, to reflect the increase in numbers between the October 2025 and October 2026. Further information on this is available at :
Free school meals expansion grant: methodology – GOV.UK .
This will also have implications for wider school funding:
o students continuing to qualify for the targeted offer, will still attract FSM6 and Pupil Premium, as well as FSM;
o students previously qualified for FSM (pre Sept 2026) but no longer qualifying for targeted – will still be part of the FSM6 / Pupil Premium cohort due to being on FSM in previous 6 years;
o Its only students NEWLY qualifying for the expanded offer wef Sept 2026, who didn’t previously qualify for the targeted offer, who will not qualify for FSM6 or Pupil Premium.
Further information in relation to Pupil Premium is available at the link below : Pupil premium: overview – GOV.UK
