At Tiffield Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every learner has access to the support, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive. Registering for Free School Meals (FSM) can provide valuable support for families and, in some cases, additional funding for the school through the Pupil Premium.

Changes to Free School Meal Eligibility from September 2026

From the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has expanded Free School Meal eligibility to include all pupils from households receiving Universal Credit.

There are now two categories of Free School Meals:

1. Targeted Free School Meals

Pupils are eligible if their family meets the existing income threshold of £7,400 per year (after tax and excluding benefits).

Pupils eligible for Targeted Free School Meals:

• Receive free school meals.
• Are included in the Ever 6 FSM cohort.
• Attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.

2. Expanded Free School Meals

Pupils who receive Universal Credit but do not meet the £7,400 income threshold may be eligible for Expanded Free School Meals.

Pupils eligible for Expanded Free School Meals:

• Receive free school meals.
• Do not become part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort.
• Do not attract Pupil Premium funding.

What is Ever 6 FSM?

The Ever 6 FSM measure identifies pupils who have been eligible for Targeted Free School Meals at any point during the previous six years.

Following the expansion of Free School Meals:

• Only pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will be included in the Ever 6 FSM cohort.
• Pupils who become eligible through the new Expanded FSM category will not be included in Ever 6 FSM and will not attract Pupil Premium funding.
• Pupils who were already eligible for FSM before the expansion will remain in the Ever 6 FSM cohort for six years, even if their circumstances change.

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to support pupils who may be vulnerable to underachievement.

This funding is allocated for:

• Pupils eligible for Targeted Free School Meals.
• Children who are looked after or previously looked after by a local authority.
• Children of service personnel.

The purpose of Pupil Premium funding is to help schools:

• Raise attainment and achievement.
• Remove barriers to learning.
• Provide targeted academic, therapeutic, and pastoral support.
• Improve attendance and engagement.
• Ensure pupils have access to enrichment opportunities and experiences.

At Tiffield Academy, we use research and evidence from organisations such as the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Sutton Trust to help inform how this funding is spent.

Applying for Free School Meals

Even if your child already receives a free meal through other arrangements, it is important to check your eligibility. Registering can help the school access additional funding to support learners.

To check whether your family is eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium, please visit:

👉 West Northamptonshire Council Free School Meals and Pupil Premium Information

Uniform Support

If you require support with school uniform costs, please contact the school office:

📧 admin@tiffieldacademy.org

Accountability and Impact

All schools are required to publish information about:

• The amount of Pupil Premium funding received.
• How the funding is spent.
• The impact of funded interventions and provision.

At Tiffield Academy, the impact of Pupil Premium funding is monitored closely throughout the year, with outcomes reported annually. This evaluation focuses on:

• Attainment and achievement.
• Attendance.
• Progress towards individual learning outcomes.
• Wider engagement and participation in school life.

For further information about Pupil Premium, please visit:

👉 Pupil Premium: Overview - GOV.UK