Free School Meals (FSM)
If you are a parent on a low income or if you are in receipt of any of the benefits mentioned below, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals. This meal can be taken at break time or lunch time.
Once you have received notification from Dorset County Council that your application has been approved, we would ask that you let us know so that we can update our database.
If and when your situation and circumstances change and you are no longer in receipt of the appropriate benefits, it is your responsibility to inform us and Dorset County Council that your child is no longer eligible to receive Free School Meals.
From June 1st 2026 there will be 2 levels of eligibility: targeted free school meals and expanded free school meals.
Targeted free school meals for families who get:
- Universal Credit and earn less than £7,400 per year
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guarantee element of Pension Credit
- households with families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Families in the Targeted group may be able to access further related benefits, for example, pupil premium and free holiday activities and food (HAF) programme.
Expanded free school meals are for families receiving Universal Credit with earnings over £7,400 per year. They cover free school meals only.
Free School Meals and Pupil Premium
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals, they may be entitled to further financial help with items such as uniform, music lessons, school trips and visits and extra-curricular activities. This financial help will come from the Pupil Premium funding we receive. Requests for further help will be considered on an individual basis and we would ask you to contact the school directly to begin this process.
If you would like to request help with school uniform, please telephone the school on 01202 486536 or email office@thegrangeschool.com. You may apply for help with uniform on a maximum of two occasions throughout your child’s time at The Grange School.
Please note that the above benefits apply to students in Year 7 through to Year 11.
