Free school meal (FSM) eligibility, which is central to supporting disadvantaged pupils and impacting the amount of funding schools receive, is changing from September. What do the changes mean for schools, and what are the wider implications for understanding how the attainment of disadvantaged pupils is changing? How has free school meal eligibility been changing? As of January 2026, 2.21 million pupils were eligible for FSM, which is equivalent to 26.5 per cent of all pupils. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week subscribe Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits.