At Hagley Catholic High School, we are proud to support all of our students, helping them to overcome any barriers to education they may encounter. At Hagley, we believe that every child should have equal access to the resources and encouragement needed to succeed, regardless of background or disadvantage. We passionately believe in creating an inclusive environment where all pupils feel valued and empowered to reach their personal best. 

Free School Meals

Free School Meals Expansion
The government has expanded Free School Meals (FSM) provision. From the start of the 2026/2027 school year, every child whose family receives Universal Credit is now legally entitled to free school meals, regardless of your household income. This means thousands more children will receive a hot, nutritious lunchtime meal every day when attending school.  

Mandatory Rechecks for Existing Families
The Department for Education has also ended "transitional protections". If your child previously received free meals because of protections dating back to 2018, the Worcestershire County Council must now perform a formal recheck of your current household circumstances to keep your entitlement active. To ensure your child is ready to receive meals in September, these checks must be completed by the end of July. 

Under the new government guidance, as of September 2026 anyone in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) will be divided into two categories. These are:  

• Expanded FSM: Provides your child with free school meals. (a new category covering students who do not qualify for targeted FSM but who are in households receiving Universal Credit.) 
• Targeted FSM: Covers families earning £7,400 or less. This tier unlocks up to £1100 in extra Pupil Premium funding directly for our school to pay for extra teaching staff, resources, to aid students’ attainment. (If your income drops below £616 per month during the academic year then please reapply or contact Worcestershire Local Authority once your Universal Credit Statement reflects this). 

However, only those whose children are registered as Targeted FSM will, from September 2026, be allocated the associated Pupil Premium funding. This means that our amended Pupil Premium Pledge will only apply in full to those children who are registered as Targeted FSM.  

To make a claim for Free School Meals (FSM) at Hagley Catholic High School, please visit the Worcestershire County Council website (link below) and click on ‘Apply for free school meals’ to apply/reapply via the Worcestershire County Council Citizen Portal. You will need your full legal name, your Date of Birth (DOB) and National Insurance Number.

If you have any questions or queries, in relation to your child's Free School Meals status at Hagley Catholic High School please contact enquiry_hchs@emmausmac.com 

Worcestershire County Council Free School Meals Team can also be contacted directly via email on freeschoolmeals@worcestershire.gov.uk or by phone on 01905 845280

Eligibility Criteria 2026/27

Expanded Free School Meals

• You receive Universal Credit with a household income over £7,400 per year (over £616 per month) after tax (excluding benefits) based on your last 3 months’ statements

Targeted Free School Meals – Benefit-based eligibility

• You receive Universal Credit with a household income of under £7,400 per year (under £616 per month) after tax (excluding benefits) based on your last 3 months’ statements
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance

Targeted Free School Meals – Immigration-based eligibility

• Zambrano carers
• Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) with leave under Article 8
• Families supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 with No Recourse to Public Funds
• Certain supported failed asylum seekers (Section 4)
• Chen carers
• BN(O) passport holders
• Spousal, work or student visa holders
• Individuals with no immigration status

Financial criteria for immigration cases

• Annual income of less than £22,700 for families with 1 child
• Annual income of less than £26,300 for families with 2 or more children
• Savings must be under £16,000

For students who are confirmed as eligible for Free School Meals at Hagley Catholic High School this provides funding for a meal at lunchtime. A lunchtime 'meal deal' (i.e. a main meal and dessert) currently costs £2.50 and this is what Free School Meals entitlement is intended to cover. It does not include funds to purchase tokens for the school's Gen Juice machines. Anything purchased over and above the £2.50 entitlement will be automatically charged via Arbor payments. 

All break time purchases must be paid by parents/carers using funds accessed via Arbor Payments. These are not covered by Free School Meals entitlement. 

A student's total spend in the school canteen is limited to £6.00 per day, and this includes those students who are entitled to Free School Meals. 

A sample menu for the school canteen is linked below for information.