School Meals/School Milk
Emma's Kitchen Autumn menu September 2026
Children in Year R, 1 and 2 qualify for the Universal Infant Free School Meal Scheme. If your child is in one of these year groups, you do not need to apply for a meal and your child can choose a school dinner on the day.Free School Meals
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, Free School Meals eligibility is being expanded to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:
- a claim for this support has been made
- their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority
Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:
- are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds
Key Changes
Any child from a household receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, regardless of income level, removing the previous £7,400 earnings cap.
Families could save up to £495 per child per year on school lunches, providing significant reliefespecially for households with multiple children.
While eligibility is automatic for Universal Credit recipients, families must still apply using their National Insurance Number to receive the benefit.
Universal free school meals
If your child is in year R, year 1 or year 2 they are entitled to universal free school meals - all children in these year groups can get a free meal at school each day.
However, even if your child receives universal free school meals, it's important to register for free school meals if you're eligible. If you receive certain benefits, registering for free school meals allows your child’s school to receive additional funding to support their learning. This extra money can make a real difference, so we recommend you check your eligibility and apply online.
Eligibility and apply
Your eligibility will be checked and your application processed straight away. If your application is successful, the school will be notified, and your child should start receiving their free school meal within 24 hours.
Milk
If your child is under 5 years old, they will qualify for free school milk. You will need to apply using either the Cool Milk website or the application form below. If your child is over 5, they can still apply, but you will need to pay for the milk. This currently works out as 28p per day.
Our school milk scheme
Did you know our school has a school milk scheme?
By registering your child for our school milk scheme they will receive a 189ml (third of a pint) carton of semi-skimmed milk every day. This is delivered fresh and chilled to their classroom every day.
How much does it cost?
Thanks to government subsidies, school milk is free for all under-fives and is subsided at around £15 a term for children aged five or older.
Why should I register my child?
School milk provides your child with essential nutrients such as calcium and protein, for strong, healthy teeth and bones. It is also rehydrating and energy boosting, helping to bridge the long gap between breakfast and lunch so children stay focused.
Find out the top ten reasons to drink school milk at www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk
How do I register my child?
If your child is under five-
1. Go to www.coolmilk.com or pick up a form from school.
2. Just register by a Tuesday for your child’s free milk to start the following week.
3. Free milk will continue until the Friday before your child’s fifth birthday. You will receive a payment request three weeks before this time- if you wish for your child to continue to receive school milk simply make a payment.
If your child is over five-
1. Go to www.coolmilk.com or pick up a form from school.
2. Pay Cool Milk online, over the phone, at a local PayPoint or by cheque in instalments to suit you. If registering online you can pay straight away, if using a registration form you will need to wait to receive a payment request.
3. Just pay by a Tuesday for your child’s milk to start the following week.
How do I find out more?
Visit www.coolmilk.com or contact Cool Milk directly on 0844 854 2913.