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Guidance

Operational readiness checklist for schools (Annex D)

Updated 8 May 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities/operational-readiness-checklist-for-schools-annex-d

This is a checklist of activity that should help schools prepare for the expansion of free school meals (FSM) from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Understanding the new entitlement

Schools should:

  • read the updated FSM guidance
  • read the updated school census specification and guidance which provides full details on how schools will be expected to return information about FSM eligibility to receive appropriate funding
  • read additional guidance explaining how mainstream schools, special and AP schools, and further education settings will attract funding in respect of children and young people becoming eligible for FSM under the new entitlement
  • note that UIFSM allocations in the 2026 to 2027 academic year will change as a result of the FSM expansion
  • understand the 2 categories of FSM going forward:
    • Targeted FSM
    • Expanded FSM
  • understand that:
    • transitional protections will end at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year
    • every pupil must meet the FSM eligibility criteria going forward

Preparing for eligibility checking and census returns

Schools should:

  • understand that schools and local authorities should annually recheck FSM eligibility for all pupils in receipt of this support to confirm continued eligibility
  • recheck eligibility between 1 June and 1 October (inclusive) every year for funding purposes
  • speak to your local authority about plans to run rechecks
  • understand that schools must record whether pupils are eligible for FSM under the targeted or expanded criteria in your census returns
  • ensure all pupils are correctly recorded

Communications to parents and carers

Schools should:

  • communicate key changes to families to ensure awareness of:
    • potential changes to existing free meals entitlements
    • new eligibility for expanded FSM
  • ensure you are also communicating with families:
    • using early years provision
    • due to start using early years provision from September
  • consider surveying parents to determine:
    • how many new families might be eligible for FSM from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year
    • whether eligible families intend to take up free meals

Delivery readiness

Schools should:

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