From 1 January 2026, school meal prices will change in line with an Education Authority (EA) review of funding and provision.
School Meals Update
The Education Authority has confirmed a number of savings measures in response to a significant funding shortfall, which includes an increase in school meal prices from January 2026, the first change since 2017. Pupils currently entitled to Free School Meals will not be affected by this price rise and will continue to receive a meal as normal.
Free School Meals
In pre-school, primary and special school settings, pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals will continue to receive a meal as before. In post-primary, which operates on a cafeteria basis, the daily Free School Meal allowance will increase by 19.25% to £3.34 to match the increase across all menu items.
New Meal Prices from 1 January 2026
The new prices for pupils who are not entitled to Free School Meals will be:
- Pre-school: £3.00 per meal
- Primary: £3.10 per meal
- Special: £3.10 per meal
- Adult meal: £3.99.School
In post-primary, there will be a 19.25% price increase across all menu items.
Further Information
If you have any questions about Free School Meals eligibility or the new pricing structure, please contact the school office in the first instance. Families are encouraged to check that their Free School Meals applications are up to date to ensure continued support.
