Schools on the menu for free meals pilot scheme

Four South Lanarkshire secondary schools have been selected for a nationwide free meals pilot scheme which will see provision extended to eligible pupils in first to third year from next month.

- JUDITH TONNER

Larkhall Academy, Lesmahagow High, Calderglen High in East Kilbride and Trinity High in Rutherglen will all be included in the Scottish Government test programme in the new school year, meaning free meals will be extended to S1-S3 pupils whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment.

Online applications for parents are now open, with the pilot scheme running throughout the 2025-2026 school year at the four local schools, benefiting more than 425 pupils.

South Lanarkshire was announced last month as one of eight local authorities where expansion of the Scottish Government free school meals programme would be piloted for eligible pupils in the first three years of high school.

The four participating schools were announced last week, with council leader Joe Fagan saying: “As part of this scheme, we are now able to open the option of healthy and nutritious school meals to more young people each day of the new school year.