EdTech charity LGfL – The National Grid for Learning – winner of the ERA Awards Supplier of the Year – Best Not for Profit 2026 – has launched an enhanced National Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility Checker to break down the digital and administrative barriers that prevent hundreds of thousands of eligible children from accessing Free School Meals and the vital Pupil Premium Funding that schools receive for each eligible pupil.
Despite being entitled to support, an estimated 250,000 eligible pupils in England are not currently registered. With 18% of children living in food-insecure households, the need to simplify access to Free School Meals is more urgent than ever.
“This upgraded FSM Eligibility Checker removes the admin gap that has denied too many children the food and support they qualify for,” said John Jackson, CEO of LGfL. “It’s about making sure every eligible child is seen and fed – while schools receive the Pupil Premium funding they’re entitled to.”
The new checker: Smarter, faster, simpler
The new system:
- Enables instant checks via secure links to the DfE systems
- Removes the need for paperwork, streamlining the process for families and schools
- Supports bulk checking by schools, MATs, and local authorities.
Since 2014, LGfL’s FSM tools have helped identify over £232 million in potential Pupil Premium Funding, supporting hundreds of thousands of pupils across England – with £41.5 million of potential funding unlocked in a single year alone.
Why this matters now
- 250,000+ eligible children are not registered for Free School Meals (England)
- Schools lose access to funding worth up to £1,075 per secondary student and £2,630 per looked after child every year
What schools can do
Schools can take immediate action by:
- Signing up for early access to the upgraded checker
Jackson credited the tool’s development to the hard work of many LGfL colleagues and partners, calling it “a shining example of innovation with purpose and impact.”
