School meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals.

However, if you receive any of the following, your child may be eligible for free school meals after this time:

Universal Credit
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Households may also be entitled to a free school 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

Eligibility

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, free school meal eligibility will be expanded to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. Further guidance can be found on the Department for Education website.

If you think your child is eligible, please contact your child’s school which will be able to provide an application form. The school will then check and confirm your eligibility.

If approved, your child may receive pupil premium free school meals. It may also entitle your child to other benefits, such as attendance on Holiday Activity and Food events.

Meal provider

We partner with Caterlink for school meals. If you would like to know about the menus please visit their website here: Caterlink

Contact us

For any more information, email our team: school.meals@reading.gov.uk.

Additional support for Reading residents

With the cost of living continuing to rise fast, Reading Borough Council is committed to supporting households in Reading though these difficult times, particularly those impacted the most.

Below are some of the ways we are doing that:

Holiday Activity and Food scheme

Reading families with children who are eligible for pupil premium free school meals at a school in the borough of Reading are able to access holiday activities with lunches provided through the Holiday Activity and Food scheme.

Children can enjoy four-hour activity sessions, four days a week during each week of the main holidays (maximum of four weeks during summer breaks). Each day also includes a healthy lunch. Families can register and find more details on our HAF page.

Families with children under school age can access a range of free activities provided by Reading’s Children’s Centres. Visit our Reading Children’s Centres pages for details.

Cost of Living Vouchers and help with money matters

The Cost of Living voucher scheme is administered by Reading Borough Council. Please see the Money Matters page which has comprehensive details plus advice and support, including help with energy and food costs, help with clothing, where to find warm spaces in Reading and much more.

Grant support to local community organisations

Reading Borough Council has supplied additional funding to the following organisations to support other vulnerable families and individuals with food and household essentials:

Funding is allocated to Reading Borough Council by the Department for Work and Pensions. The HAF scheme is co-ordinated by the council’s children’s services, known as Brighter Futures for Children.