FSM Percentage

Understanding Free School Meals (FSM) Percentage

The Free School Meals percentage indicates the proportion of students at a school who are eligible for and claiming free school meals. This metric is widely used as a proxy for socioeconomic disadvantage, as eligibility is based on family income and receipt of certain benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

Students qualify for free school meals if their family receives: - Universal Credit (with annual net earned income below £7,400) - Income Support - Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance - Child Tax Credit (with income below £16,190 and not receiving Working Tax Credit) - Other qualifying benefits

Children of asylum seekers and those receiving certain pension credits also qualify.

Why FSM Percentage Matters

FSM percentage provides important context when comparing schools:

For understanding demographics: A higher FSM percentage indicates a school serves more students from lower-income families. This context is crucial when interpreting raw exam results, as socioeconomic background correlates strongly with academic outcomes.

For assessing value-add: Schools with high FSM percentages that achieve strong Progress 8 scores are demonstrating excellent teaching and support, helping disadvantaged students overcome barriers to achievement.

For Pupil Premium: Schools receive additional “Pupil Premium” funding for each FSM-eligible student (and those who have been eligible in the past 6 years). This funding supports initiatives to close the attainment gap.

Interpreting FSM Data

• National average: Approximately 20-23% of students are FSM-eligible
• Below 10%: Relatively affluent intake
• Above 30%: Significant proportion of disadvantaged students
• Above 50%: Very high levels of disadvantage

When comparing schools, consider FSM percentage alongside Progress 8, which accounts for prior attainment and provides a fairer comparison of school effectiveness across different contexts.