A new scheme that automatically identifies and registers eligible children for free school meals has helped 750 pupils in Hull so far.

The auto-enrolment pilot, which launched earlier this year, was designed so that families could access free school meals without the need to fill out separate forms.

Cllr Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People at Hull City Council, said: “This is a fantastic outcome for families and schools in Hull.

“By simplifying the process, we’ve made sure more children are accessing nutritious meals every day, while also securing vital Pupil Premium funding to support their education.

“It’s a great example of how we can use data and teamwork to make a real difference to local families.”

The scheme has helped schools in Hull secure more than £1 million via Pupil Premium funding for the 2025/26 academic year.

It identified and registered 613 primary school pupils and 113 secondary pupils who were eligible but not previously claiming, with the remainder being early years pupils.

The team behind this new scheme, is recommending the process be repeated every year to continue support for families who are eligible for free school meals.

Hull City Council completed an evaluation that found applications rose significantly during the pilot from 685 in 2024 to 1,093 in 2025, well above the usual increase expected from new school starters alone. 

Mary Meredith, Assistant Director Learning & Skills PSA at Hull City Council, said: “We’re proud of the collaborative effort that made this pilot a success.

“The benefits are immediate – more children getting healthy meals and more funding going directly to schools where it’s needed most.”