Free School Meals (FSM)
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Your child will automatically get a free school meal if they go to a government-funded school and are in:
- reception year
- year 1
- year 2
Free school meals are provided as part of the universal infant free school meals programme (UIFSM).
Children in Year 3 and above for the 2024/25 academic year
Thanks to the Mayor of London, every primary school child (Reception to Year 2 who automatically get a free school meal PLUS children Year 3 to Year 6) in a Haringey government-funded school will continue to be entitled to and receive a free school meal (FSM) for the 2024/2025 academic year. This is not the same as the Free Schools Meals (FSM) programme for parents and carers on qualifying benefits.
However, even though you do not need to apply for free school meals families who are also in receipt of the qualifying benefits listed below, should still complete an application form for free school meals using the FSM Eligibility Checker as our school may also receive more funding. Please note by doing this:
Qualifying Benefits for Free School Meal Eligibility
Your child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if you are in receipt of any qualifying benefits listed below:
- Income Support.
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your annual household net income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get and as assessed by earnings from up to 3 of your most recent assessment periods).
Free School Meal Protection
If your child is eligible, and you apply, they will be protected and continue receiving free school meals until March 2025.
- Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies even if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time.
- In addition, any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025.
- After March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).
Find out Whether Your Child Qualifies for Free School Meal Eligibility
To find out whether your child qualifies for free school meals, and hence whether Tetherdown Primary school would receive additional funding, please fill in the details requested using the free school meals Eligibility Checker below. A pupil will be eligible to receive a free school meal when a claim for the meal has been made on their behalf and their eligibility, or protected status, has been verified. In some circumstances we may ask you to provide confirmation that you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Parents can also find a useful FAQ on the Eligibility Checker site to assist them.
Moving Into Haringey from another Local Authority or Moving within Haringey and in Receipt of FSM
If you are currently in receipt of FSM and are moving into Haringey from a different borough OR have moved within Haringey it is your responsibility to inform Tetherdown Primary School that you are in receipt of FSM. If you have lost your proof, you will need to contact your former local authority or school who will be able to provide proof. You must provide this proof to Tetherdown.
Further information about applying for FSM in England is also available on the government website.
Haringey Clothing Grant
You can apply for a one-off school clothing grant of £60 via Haringey if:
- you live in Haringey and
- your child is eligible for free school meals and
- your child’s date of birth is between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013
- your child transferred to secondary school in September 2024
You must apply by 31 March 2025.
You can use your grant to buy:
- school clothes
- shoes for your child
FSM for Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
Families with no recourse to public funds can get free school meals for their children.
This includes:
- Zambrano carers
- families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
- a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Chen carers
- families holding a British National (Overseas) passport
- spousal visa holders
- work visa holders
- student visa holders
- those with no immigration status
For further information and how to apply, please go to the Haringey website.