Sadiq Khan’s scheme, offering free school meals to all state primary pupils since September 2023, has identified more than 20,200 previously unregistered pupils of all ages eligible for support. This sum is on top of the £500 per child, per year, already saving families since the programme began, according to an analysis released by the mayor.
The funding, made available through the Government’s pupil premium scheme, allows schools to invest in extra resources and targeted help for disadvantaged children.
Mr Khan said: “Delivering free school meals to children across London’s state primary schools every day has been a game changer for families, pupils and staff.
“These healthy meals are helping children to make the most of their days at school and supporting families across the capital, and it’s fantastic that our programme has helped to unlock almost £50m in further funding for disadvantaged pupils. This is helping schools to offer targeted support and easing the financial pressure on families, as we build a fairer and better London for everyone.”
City Hall worked with London boroughs to simplify and improve the pupil premium application process, which relies on free school meal eligibility.
In the past, some schools missed out on this funding because not all eligible families were identified or supported to complete the necessary forms. As a result of the new approach, 28 boroughs identified more than 20,200 previously unregistered pupils.
This has unlocked £25.9million in pupil premium funding and a further £19.9million in Ever 6 funding, which supports schools based on pupils who have registered for free school meals in the past six years.
Simon Hogg, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “In Wandsworth we’ve taken proactive steps to make sure every child who is entitled to support is identified and able to benefit.
“Alongside expanding eligibility locally, we’ve improved our systems and introduced measures such as auto-enrolment, helping us identify more than 1,100 additional children eligible for free school meals, including 438 in January alone. This has unlocked over £2million in additional funding for our schools, helping them provide targeted support for disadvantaged pupils.”
The mayor’s office said funding has helped improve resources for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as support for mentoring, breakfast clubs and after school clubs, and staff training.
The programme has also helped parents access council grants for school uniforms. The free school meals policy has so far delivered more than 115million meals to London’s primary pupils.
Mr Khan has pledged that the scheme will remain in place for as long as he is mayor.
Louise Nichols, executive head of LEAP Federation Schools in Hackney, said: “Pupil premium funding makes a big difference to LEAP Federation schools in supporting the most disadvantaged children and their families in Hackney.
“The Mayor’s support around universal registration is a powerful, practical initiative that is boosting school funding and improving life chances for children across London.”
