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How to apply for free school meals ( Pupil Premium)

Apply for free school meals

As an Infant School all children receive a universal free school meal. However, it is vital you still apply if eligible as this means the school will receive Pupil Premium. The pupil premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise attainment. This also entitles you to free school milk too.  At Phoenix, you are then also entitled to half-price clubs and trips. 

We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals. We use the Department for Education's free school meals eligibility checking system to determine eligibility.

To apply, you will need to register and provide:

  • your National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Reference Number
  • your last name
  • your date of birth

If your entitlement to free school meals cannot be assessed through the eligibility checking system, we will let you know.  If you think you are eligible to the benefits listed below you can provide us with more details for a manual assessment.

You can apply for free school meals online or by contacting us on 0300 500 80 80.  Alternatively you can complete an application form.


More information about free school meals:

You can apply online and will need:

  • your personal details (including national insurance number and date of birth of the parent/carer)
  • child’s details in full, including their date of birth and the school they attend.

If you are eligible for free school meals the start date will normally be within two working days of parents contacting us and entitlement being confirmed. Children attending maintained nurseries also qualify for a free school meal as long as they are receiving funded early years education before and after lunch. 

Children transferring between schools that use Nottinghamshire County Council's eligibility assessment service do not need to reapply. For children attending a school that does not use this service you should contact the school directly for information about how to apply for free school meals.

If you are unable to apply online please call 0300 500 80 80 or complete an application form [PDF].