Parkside now uses an online application system for applying for Free School Meals.

Please use the following link to apply:

Online Free School Meals Application

Why Apply?

A lot of people do not apply for free school meals. At Parkside, we encourage all families to apply regardless of whether they believe they may be eligible or not.

You do not need to worry about other children knowing your child gets free school meals. In secondary schools, only the school and the catering staff will know.

You could potentially save £400 a year for each eligible child and your children could benefit from a good, hot meal at lunchtime.

About the Application Process

The application is a two step process to first enter your own details, and then your child's details.

To complete an application, you will need to provide:

• Your own name and date of birth
• Contact details
• National Insurance Number or National Asylum Seeker's Number
• Child's name and date of birth
• School your child is attending/will attend.

These details will be checked via the DfE's Eligibility Checking Service.

Once the application is submitted, an instant decision will be received and the school automatically notified of the outcome.

After applying, if you have a change in circumstances that will affect your eligibility, there is no need to reapply as the system will remember your details and automatically update your eligibility.

If you would like more information about any part of this application process, detailed information is available in the Online Free School Meals Help Guide.