FROM January, the Universal Primary Free School Meals scheme is to be rolled out ahead of schedule to all year 5 and 6 pupils in Denbighshire, meaning every primary school pupil in Denbighshire can now have a free school meal.

In December 2021, Welsh Government (WG) announced plans to offer free meals to all primary school pupils. Since September 2022, the Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) offer in Denbighshire has been successfully rolled out from Reception to Year 4.

Following a further round of kitchen and dining refurbishments across the County, the UPFSM offer will be rolled out earlier than scheduled to Year 5 and 6 pupils from 8th January, 2024.

From the start of the Spring term all primary 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. If pupils are already in receipt of free school meals and/or any other associated benefits, these will not be impacted.

Councillor Gill German, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “It is fantastic that with this funding, along with the dedication of our staff and support from local contractors, the Authority is able to rollout the Universal Primary Free School Meal offer earlier than originally scheduled for all pupils up to Year 6.

"School meals are essential to a child’s learning and development and I am so very pleased that now every primary school pupil within Denbighshire will have the offer of a free school meal.”