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Following on from the Government's announcement that they are increasing the FSM meal allowance to £2.66 for the 2026-2027 academic year, we can confirm that the new allowance will be applied from 1 September 2026.
This will mean that the Meal of the Day in secondary schools will also increase in cost to £2.66. This will be reflected in the Autumn menus issued by Aspens.
Please click on the following links to learn more about our catering provider, Aspens. You can also view the current school menus (for Spring/Summer 2026). Menus will rotate on a three week basis and refresh each term.
Welcome to AspensSapientia Streateries Hot Deli MMB Tariff 2025
Streateries Summer 2026 Menu (available from April 2026)
Cashless Catering System
If you are an existing parent or carer, you will be aware the Academy runs a cashless payment system. To pay for your child’s meal you need to be signed up to School Gateway which forms part of the admission process when a child joins the school.
Students in receipt of Free School Meals will have their account automatically credited with the allocated amount each day (see below).
Account Refunds
If your child leaves the Academy and you wish to have any remaining balance from your child’s account refunded, please email finance@attleboroughacademy.org to request this.
Biometric Permission
As part of the admission process to the Academy, we ask that you give your permission for us to use your child’s biometric data (fingerprint) to access the school catering provision. This biometric information will be used by the school for the provision of catering services.
Once consent has been given, you are authorising the school to use information from your child's fingerprint as part of an automated biometric recognition system. This biometric information will be used until your child either leaves the school or ceases to use the system when it shall be securely deleted by the school. If you wish to withdraw your consent at any time, this must be done so in writing and sent to the School Office.
If you do not wish your child’s biometric information to be processed by the school or your child objects to such processing, we will provide reasonable alternative arrangements that allow them to access the relevant services.
Free School Meals
From September 2026, the value of a Free School Meal is £2.66. This amount will automatically appear each day on the cashless catering system. If it is not used, please note that it does not carry over to the following day.
If your child is eligible, parents and carers can apply online for Free School Meals using your Norfolk Education Online (NEO) account.
Apply for Free School MealsA child may be entitled to Free School Meals if their parent or carer receives:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Some families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) may also be eligible.
There are two categories of entitlement:
Targeted FSM
- Family receives Universal Credit and earns under £7,400 per year, or receives another qualifying benefit
- Child receives FSM
- School also receives associated additional funding/support
Expanded FSM
- Family receives Universal Credit and earns above £7,400 per year
- Child is entitled to FSM
- This is the major change from September 2026 and means many families who were previously ineligible due to earnings can now qualify
Important Information
Familes who receive Universal Credit are encouraged to apply, even if they have not qualified for Free School Meals previously due to earnings thresholds. Recent changes mean that eligibiity may now be different.
Applications can be made through the Norfolk County Council website Free school meals - Norfolk County Council. Alternatively, families can complete an application form at the Academy and a member of staff will be happy to support them with the process.
Please note that the previous transitional protection arrangements, which allowed some students to retain Free School Meal eligibility regardless of changes in family circumstances, have ended from the start of this academic year.
If you have any queries regarding any aspect of Free School Meals or the catering provision then please email the School Office at office@attleboroughacademy.org and we will be happy to help.
