Universal primary free meals to be rolled out to year 2 pupils

Universal Primary Free School Meals are to be rolled out to Year 2 pupils in Denbighshire, following the Easter break. 

In December 2021 Welsh Government (WG) announced plans to offer free meals to all primary school pupils. The phased delivery approach will see all primary pupils offered free school meals by 2024. 

Since September 2022, the Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) offer in Denbighshire has been successfully rolled out to Reception and Year 1. The UPFSM offer will be rolled out to Year 2 pupils in Denbighshire from the 17th of April, 2023. 

The authority recently gathered feedback from parents and carers of Reception and Year 1 pupils on their experiences of the UPFSM offer in Denbighshire. The results were extremely positive, with 70% of feedback received being comments of support and highlighting the benefits of the scheme for Denbighshire families. 

A second allocation of £1.2 million of funding has been received from Welsh Government to support the roll out of UPFSM across Denbighshire. Further refurbishment works have been undertaken within school kitchens during the Christmas break and February half term. More refurbishment works are scheduled for the Easter break in preparation for the next stage of the rollout. 

From the start of the Summer term, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils in Denbighshire schools will be asked on a daily basis whether or not they would like to access a school meal. They will be able to opt in or out without having to pre book and the meal will be provided free of charge.

Further information will be available on the Denbighshire website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/education. If pupils are already in receipt of free school meals and/or any other associated benefits, these will not be affected. 

Gill German, Lead member for Education Children and Families said: “I am hugely supportive of the introduction of Universal Free School Meals for primary age pupils in Wales and I am so pleased that our rollout in Denbighshire is progressing so well. 

"Every child of Reception age in Denbighshire has been able to enjoy a free school meal since September, and back in January, we were delighted to also be able to offer a free meal to every child in Year 1 ahead of our original schedule.

"A nutritious meal at lunchtime is essential to a child’s learning and development and ensures that every child can be well fed throughout the school day. It is fantastic news that the Authority will be able to extend the rollout of the Universal Primary Free School Meal offer."

Significant further refurbishment works to both kitchen and dining facilities are scheduled for completion throughout the Summer break, with a focus on ensuring that all Denbighshire Primary schools are able to deliver UPFSM to years 3 & 4 from September 2023.