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Our promise
Our promise
At Bucklebury C of E Primary School, our vision of “Growing the whole child in every child” is at the heart of everything we do.
Guided by our Christian values of Love, Faith and Hope, we want every child to feel valued, included and supported to achieve their best. We work with families to remove barriers and help children flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
Free school meals: what has changed?
Free school meals: what has changed?
From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit can qualify for free school meals, regardless of household earnings.
There are now two categories of benefits-related free school meals:
Targeted free school meals
Who qualifies through Universal Credit?
Households with annual net earned income of £7,400 or less, excluding benefits.
Does this attract Pupil Premium?
Yes, subject to eligibility being verified and recorded.
Expanded free school meals
Who qualifies through Universal Credit?
Households with earnings above this threshold.
Does this attract Pupil Premium?
No, not through this entitlement alone. A child may still qualify through previous eligibility or another qualifying circumstance.
Other routes include qualifying asylum support. Families receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the guarantee element of Pension Credit, or with no recourse to public funds may also qualify, subject to the relevant conditions.
Please check West Berkshire Council’s guidance or ask our office team for help.
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
All children in these year groups continue to receive universal infant free school meals, regardless of family income.
If you meet the targeted free school meals criteria, please still apply. Registering can bring additional funding into school, even if your child already receives free meals or prefers a packed lunch.
West Berkshire advises families who qualify only for expanded free school meals to apply towards the end of Year 2, before their child starts Year 3.
What if my child already receives free school meals?
What if my child already receives free school meals?
The previous transitional protections ended after the 2025/26 academic year. Continued benefits-related meal entitlement now depends on meeting the current criteria.
Eligibility is rechecked annually, with a confirmed result normally valid for the academic year. Please respond to requests for information so that entitlement can be checked promptly.
A change in free school meal entitlement does not necessarily end Pupil Premium funding: previous qualifying eligibility can continue to count under the six-year rule.
What is Pupil Premium?
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional funding to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
It supports children who:
Qualify for targeted free school meals, or have qualifying eligibility recorded within the past six years, including before the September 2026 expansion.
Are looked after by a local authority.
Have left qualifying care through adoption, a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.
Funding for looked-after children is managed by the local authority’s Virtual School Head, working with the school.
Separate Service Pupil Premium supports eligible children from armed forces families. Please tell the office if this may apply.
How we use the funding
How we use the funding
Our approach focuses on:
High-quality teaching.
Targeted academic support.
Addressing barriers involving attendance, wellbeing and participation.
Support is planned around pupils’ needs. Pupil Premium is funding for the school, not an individual cash allowance or an automatic entitlement to free trips, uniform or clubs.
Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement sets out our priorities, spending and evaluation of impact.
How to apply
How to apply
Visit West Berkshire Council’s free school meals and Pupil Premium page to check the criteria and apply.
You will usually need your name, date of birth, National Insurance number or relevant asylum support reference, and your child’s details.
Benefits-related meals require an application and confirmation of eligibility. If you need help, contact:
School office: office@bucklebury.w-berks.sch.uk
Telephone: 01635 862965
West Berkshire Free School Meals Team: 01635 503622
Need additional support?
Need additional support?
If school-related costs are causing difficulties, please speak confidentially to the Headteacher or school office, whether or not your child qualifies for Pupil Premium.
We will listen sensitively and explore the support available.
Further information
Further information
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