Policy of auto-enrolment for Free School Meals for eligible pupils

Request

1. Please confirm whether schools under your jurisdiction are required to operate a policy of auto-enrolment for Free School Meals for eligible pupils.

2. If such a policy is in place, please provide:

2a. The date on which the policy was introduced;

2b. The rationale for introducing the policy;

2c. The number of pupils who were eligible for Free School Meals but who were not enrolled, prior to the policy being introduced;

2d. The total number of additional Pupil Premium allocations that the schools will receive because of the policy, as well as the total monetary value of such allocations;

2e. Any other relevant benefits of this policy to pupils, parents, and/or school staff, if applicable.

3. If no such policy is in place, please provide:

3a. Any considerations of this policy that have taken place;

3b. The number of pupils in your jurisdiction who are eligible for Free School Meals but who are not enrolled;

3c. The estimated number of additional Pupil Premium allocations that the schools would receive if this policy were to be implemented, as well as the estimated total monetary value of such allocations;

3d. Any future date on which this policy will be introduced, if applicable.

If the information is held in policy documents, reports, or meeting minutes, I would be grateful if you could provide copies or relevant extracts.

Decision

1. No, Lincolnshire County Council currently do not require auto-enrolment for FSM eligible pupils.

2. Not applicable.

3.

a. Considerations are currently taking place but no decisions have been made.

b. We do not hold this information.

c. We cannot make an estimation as we do not have numbers to inform this.

d. No further information at this time.

Reference number
15949913
Date request received
23 March 2026
Date of decision
17 April 2026