Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM)

Thanks to Welsh Government funding, councils across Wales are extending the availability of free school meals, beginning with their youngest learners. The aim is that every primary school pupil will be able to have a free school meal by 2024.

From September 2022, Caerphilly will be offering free school meals to all pupils in Reception and Year 1 in local authority-maintained schools.

From 7th November 2022, Year 2 and all registered, nursery age pupils, attending a maintained school for a full-time session ie attends nursery both AM and PM, will be eligible for a free school meal when in attendance on those days.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions and answers

FAQs

Timeline of Implementation of (UPFSM) in Caerphilly County Borough Council

Nursery: 3 - 4 years of age
Expected start date: 7 November 2022
Comments: All registered nursery age pupils attending a maintained school for at least two funded sessions (on a given day) per week will be eligible for a free school meal when in attendance on those days.

Reception: 4 - 5 years of age
Expected start date: 2 September 2022
Comments: Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 1: 5 - 6 years of age
Expected start date: 2 September 2022
Comments: Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 2: 6 - 7 years of age
Expected start date: 7 November 2022
Comments: Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 3: 7 - 8 years of age
Expected start date: September 2023
Comments: For pupils that attend Special Schools - Eligibility for UPFSM will be based on the year group in which a pupil is currently being taught, not their age-based or ‘expected’ National Curriculum year group. Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 4: 8 - 9 years of age
Expected start date: September 2023
Comments: For pupils that attend Special Schools - Eligibility for UPFSM will be based on the year group in which a pupil is currently being taught, not their age-based or ‘expected’ National Curriculum year group. Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 5: 9 - 10 years of age
Expected start date: September 2023
Comments: For pupils that attend Special Schools - Eligibility for UPFSM will be based on the year group in which a pupil is currently being taught, not their age-based or ‘expected’ National Curriculum year group. Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 6: 10 - 11 years of age
Expected start date: September 2023
Comments: For pupils that attend Special Schools - Eligibility for UPFSM will be based on the year group in which a pupil is currently being taught, not their age-based or ‘expected’ National Curriculum year group. Please note that these dates are subject to change depending on any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Year 7 to year 13: 11 - 18 years of age
Expected start date: Not applicable
Comments: UPFSM does not apply to these year groups.