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Pupil premium funding is changing for the 2026-27 academic year as the Department for Education (DfE) has expanded free school meals (FSM) eligibility. 

The changes to FSM eligibility have taken effect from the start of the 2026-27 academic year, which means pupil premium allocations will be impacted, too. 

But what are the changes to free school meals? And why have they caused changes to pupil premium funding? This article explores the changes and the impact they have on funding allocations for 2026-27, plus what funding is available per student. 

Free school meals changes 2026: what’s changing? 

Beginning this academic year, the DfE is expanding FSM eligibility so all students from households in receipt of Universal Credit will receive free school meals. 

With the change taking effect from September, there will be two categories of FSM: 

• Targeted FSM: eligibility for this group is based on the £7,400 income threshold, as before 

• Expanded FSM: all students in households who receive Universal Credit are eligible for Expanded FSM 

Impact on pupil premium funding allocations 2026-27 

Under the new system, not all students in receipt of FSM will attract pupil premium funding and be part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort. 

Essentially, only students eligible for Targeted FSM will be part of the Ever 6 cohort and receive pupil premium funding. Those who are newly eligible for FSM under the new Expanded FSM category will only qualify for meals. 

Those who were eligible for FSM before the expanded system will continue to be part of the Ever 6 cohort, even if their household income increases after the expansion. Regardless of whether they are still eligible for FSM, these students will remain part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort for six years. 

What this means in practice: 

• Student A was eligible for FSM before the expansion but now only qualifies for Expanded FSM: this student remains part of the Ever 6 cohort for the next six years, and as such attracts pupil premium funding in this time 

• Student B has become eligible for FSM for the first time through the Expanded FSM category: this student qualifies for meals only and is not part of the Ever 6 cohort, so does not attract pupil premium funding 

• Student C was eligible for FSM before the expansion, and is now eligible for the Targeted FSM category: this student continues to attract pupil premium funding and is part of the Ever 6 cohort 

• In a year’s time, Student C loses eligibility for Targeted FSM, instead only being eligible for Expanded FSM: this student remains part of the Ever 6 cohort for six years after they lose Targeted FSM eligibility, and as such attracts pupil premium funding in this time 

Streamline pupil premium spend tracking 

Keeping track of pupil premium spending and outcomes is a key concern for schools – but ÌÇÐÄVlog Provision Map can help streamline the process by simplifying record-keeping, saving you valuable time.

Pupil premium funding 2026-27 

Funding rates for pupil premium 2026-27 vary based on funding criteria and school phase. Here are the :Ìý

Students eligible for Targeted FSM or who are part of the Ever 6 cohort 

• Funding per primary student: £1,550 

• Funding per secondary student: £1,100 

This funding is paid directly to the school. 

Students previously looked after by a local authority or state care 

• Funding per primary student: £2,690 

• Funding per secondary student: £2,690 

This funding is paid directly to the school. 

Students who are looked after by the local authority 

• Funding per primary student: £2,690 

• Funding per secondary student: £2,690 

This funding is paid to the local authority. 

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Read our guide to how schools use Provision Map to learn how it can help you save time while improving outcomes for students.

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