1. Key points

  • 209,927 school meals, both free and paid, were taken by pupils on the school meals uptake reference date (11 October 2024), which equates to a school meals uptake level of 66.8% by pupils present for lunch on the day.

  • The school meals uptake level for 2024/25 is 4.5 percentage points higher than for 2022/23 (there was no data collected on uptake for 2023/24).

  • The overall percentage of children entitled to free school meals is 26.2%, a slight decrease compared to 2023/24 (27.2%). This 26.2% equates to 90,935 free school meal entitled pupils in nursery, primary/preparatory, post-primary, and special schools.

  • The uptake level for free school meals by entitled pupils is 80.8%; this is 1.6 percentage points higher than for 22/23 (79.2%).

2. Introduction

The purpose of this statistical bulletin is to provide results of the latest annual data collection relating to the uptake of school meals in Northern Ireland schools.

The data collected are used by policy teams within the Department of Education and by other users across the education service. The data are also used to inform responses to Assembly questions. The Department is responsible for formulating and developing policy and the associated financial arrangements in relation to school meals.

The information was collected with a reference point of 11 October 2024 and relates to all grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland. This reference date aligns with the date used for the purposes of assessing Free School Meals entitlement numbers, through the annual school census exercise. Data was imputed for some schools who did not make a return (see paragraph 17 of Notes to readers).

The Department did not collect uptake data from schools in 2021/22 and 2023/24.

3. Uptake of school meals (free and paid)

Figure 1 - Uptake of school meals (free and paid), by school type: 2020/21 – 2024/25

1. Nursery only includes pupils in nursery schools.
2. Primary includes pupils in reception and nursery classes.
3. In 2020/21 the school meal numbers include food provision to pupils who were unable to attend school due to COVID-19 but who were engaging in distance learning. The uptake figure is based on the number of pupils present for lunch on census day, including pupils who were engaging in distance learning.
4. Data taken from Table 3.
5. School meals uptake data was not collected from schools for 2021/22 or 2023/24.


  • 209,927 school meals, both free and paid, were taken by pupils on the school meals uptake reference date [Note 1] (Table 1). This equates to an uptake level of 66.8% by pupils present for lunch (Table 3). This is 4.5 percentage points higher than in 2022/23 (Table 3).

  • Pupils not taking a school meal are making alternative arrangements for lunch, which can include bringing their own food into school, or having lunch at home. This category represents 33.7% of meals (Tables 1 and 2). This is around 4 percentage points lower than 2022/23.

  • The proportion of pupils paying for a school meal increased by 5.3 percentage points (from 38.1% in 2022/23 to 43.4% in 2024/25), while the proportion of pupils having a free school meal slightly decreased by 1.2 percentage points (from 24% in 2022/23 to 22.8% in 2024/25).

  • There is a variation in the level of uptake across school types with Nursery schools having the highest uptake at 89.9%. Primary & Preparatory have the lowest levels of uptake at 60.8% (Table 3). The tables for this bulletin can be found at the end of the webpage.

Note:

1 - Reference date is 11 October 2024

Figure 2 - Uptake of school meals in primary schools, according to relative fsme 2024/25

1. Includes preparatory departments, pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools. Excludes schools where no meal service is available.
2. Data taken from Table 5.


Figure 3 - Uptake of school meals in post-primary schools, according to relative fsme 2024/25

1. Excludes schools where no meal service is available.
2. Data taken from Table 5.


  • In primary schools, pupils from the least affluent schools (as measured by free school meal entitlement (FSME)) were more likely to take a school meal (72.9%)), compared to their peers from more affluent schools (51.7%). In post-primary schools, meal uptake was relatively consistent. (Table 5).

4. Entitlement to free school meals

Figure 4 - Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals, by school type 2020/21 - 2024/25

1. Nursery only includes pupils in nursery schools.
2. Primary includes pupils in reception and nursery classes.
3. Data taken from Table 6.
4. School meals uptake data was not collected from schools for 2021/22 or 2023/24.


  • Across all school types, including special schools, 90,935 pupils were entitled to free school meals [Note 2], which is a decrease of 4,031 pupils on the 2023/24 figure (Table 6). The overall percentage of children entitled to free school meals has dropped slightly compared to the previous year (27.2%) at 26.2%.

  • There are some differences in free school meal entitlement by school type. special schools have a much higher than average proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals (54.2%). Non-grammar pupils are also much more likely than grammar school pupils to be entitled to free school meals (32.3% compared to 11.2%).

Note:

2 - Parental receipt of certain social security benefits is used as a proxy for free school meal entitlement for pupils in nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools. Does not include pupils in EOTAS centres.

5. Uptake of free school meals

Figure 5 - Uptake of free school meals (fsm) by school type 2024/25

1. Nursery only includes pupils in nursery schools.
2. Primary includes pupils in reception and nursery classes.
3. Data taken from Table 9


  • There were 72,287 free school meals taken by pupils across all school types, a decrease of 2,674 on 2022/23 (Table 9). This represents 34.4% of all meals provided by schools, which is 4.2 percentage points lower than 2022/23.

  • When considering the number of free school meals provided as a proportion of the number of pupils with actual entitlement to free school meals [Note 3], uptake of free school meals was 80.8% (Table 9). The 2024/25 free school meals uptake level is 1.6 percentage points higher than 2022/23 (79.2%).

  • There is a variation in the level of uptake of free school meals by those entitled across school types. Figure 5 shows that uptake is highest in primary and preparatory schools (82.7%). This is followed by special schools and nursery schools, with 82.5% and 82.2% respectively. Uptake in grammar schools is 79.1% and is lowest in secondary schools with 78% (Table 9). Tables can be found at the end of the webpage.

Note:

3 - For the purposes of calculating uptake the actual entitlement figure for nursery schools and primary schools with nursery pupils is based on full-time pupils only and excludes pupils counted under the proxy measure of free school meal entitlement (parental receipt of certain social security benefits). See notes to readers paragraph 14.

6. Notes to readers

Official Statistics

  1. This is an Official Statistics publication. Official statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

  2. Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

  3. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing or via the OSR website.

School meal provision

  1. The Education Authority is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school meals service in all grant-aided schools, with the exception of voluntary grammar schools and grant-maintained integrated schools, where the responsibility lies with the Trustees/Boards of Governors.

  2. The service is provided in line with the Approved Arrangements for the Provision of Milk, Meals and Related Facilities made under Articles 58 and 59 of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986 drawn up by the Department of Education (DE), which will be referred to as ‘the Arrangements’ in the remainder of this document. DE website (opens in new window).

  3. Two main types of school meal service exist:

  • A traditional meal comprising a main course and dessert; and
  • A cash cafeteria service, where items are priced separately.

Free school meal provision

  1. With regard to free school meal provision the following terms are used:
  • Eligibility: When a pupil within a family meets one of the criteria contained in paragraph 6 of the Arrangements for the provision of milk, meals and related facilities.
  • Entitlement: When an application for free school meals is made on behalf of a pupil and the application is successful.
  • Uptake: When a pupil who is entitled to free school meals makes use of the free school meal provision by taking a free school meal.
  1. Details of the eligibility criteria for free school meals are contained in paragraph 6 of the Arrangements. The Education Authority is responsible for administering the award of free school meals. Entitlement to free school meals is widely used as an indicator of deprivation.

School meals uptake data collection

  1. The main statistics in this statistical bulletin have been derived from the annual school meals uptake data collection. This is undertaken by the Department, with data collected directly from each grant-aided school. No data collection took place for 2021/22 or 2023/24.

  2. The 2024/25 school meals uptake figures are based on information for a reference date of 11 October 2024 [Note 4]. Some tables in this statistical bulletin include data on school enrolments and the number of pupils entitled to free school meals. Enrolments data is based on a reference date of 11 October 2024.

Note 4: If school meals were not being provided by the school on the reference date, or are not typical of a normal day, the school could choose to provide figures for the nearest day on which meals are provided. This may mean that dual registered pupils could be included in both their main and subsidiary schools’ figures

  1. In nursery and primary schools, new pupils often have a phased introduction to school, with some pupils not starting school until late October. Also new pupils may have a shorter day initially, without a lunch break. The school meals uptake reference date is usually the Friday of the first full week in October. This means that not all pupils will have started school or be staying for lunch break. While pupils due to start later in the month will be counted in school enrolment, and free school meal entitlement figures, they will not be present to take a meal and will not therefore be counted in the school meals uptake figures, resulting in an artificially low uptake rate.

  2. In schools with a cash cafeteria system, school meal numbers are calculated from lunchtime income. Schools also include income from sales at morning break but income from breakfast clubs is not included. The cost of a fixed price meal is used to convert income from lunch and break-time sales to equated meal numbers. Equated meal numbers will not exactly match pupils present for meals.

  3. There were 6,788 pupils who were recorded as being present on the reference date (11 October 2024) but schools indicated they were not availing of a school lunch break. These pupils were mainly in nursery, primary or special schools. This will include part-time nursery pupils and primary pupils whose school day, by the reference date, did not yet include a lunch break. These pupils have been excluded from the count of pupils present for meals for the purposes of calculating uptake of school meals.

  4. For uptake of free school meals by pupils entitled in nursery schools and primary schools with nursery units, the denominator used in the calculation of the percentages is based on full-time pupils only and excludes pupils counted under the proxy measure of free school meal entitlement (where parents are entitled to receive Income Support, or Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Employment Support Allowance where an award of income-based job-seekers allowance has been converted; or Universal Credit).

  5. There were 11 schools indicating that they do not provide a school meals service. Nine are nursery schools where none of the pupils have a lunch break included as part of their hours of attendance. A total of 21 pupils at the remaining two schools do receive a lunch break. These 21 pupils are recorded as ‘making other lunch arrangements’ and are included in the count of pupils present for lunch when calculating percentage uptake of school meals (Tables 3 and 8).

  6. Figures for primary schools can include nursery and/or reception pupils attending primary schools and preparatory departments.

  7. Figures have been imputed for 9 schools that did not make a return for 2024/25. To calculate the number of pupils present on the reference date, the average pupils present rate by school type for responding schools was applied to 2024/25 enrolment numbers for the non-responding schools. Daily average meal numbers (for October 2024) provided by the Education Authority Catering Team were used for 6 of these schools. For the three remaining schools, the proportions taking meals in a previous year were applied to the estimated pupils present figure. There were a further 14 schools that submitted a return but did not fully engage with attempts to validate the data.

  8. Due to resources being diverted to other higher priorities the Department did not collect school meals uptake data from schools for 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Impact of the COVID-19 on data for uptake of school meals

  1. Data for 2020/21 was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many schools were not experiencing typical numbers of pupils present on site in school or accessing the school meals service. Some schools were only providing a meals service to pupils entitled to free school meals, or not providing a hot meals service. This will have contributed to a reduced uptake figure for school meals, both paid and free.

Other useful information

  1. Information presenting uptake of school meals in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland was discontinued as policy differences between the regions and availability of up-to-date information for other regions make comparisons difficult.

  2. The figures in this statistical bulletin may be subject to minor revision and these will be notified in accordance with our revisions policy. This can be accessed at DE website (opens in a new window; https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/statistical-policies)

  3. More detail about the collection of data on school meals can be found on the DE website. This can be accessed at DE website (opens in a new window; https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/school-meals-data-collection-and-validation).

  4. The Statistics and Research section of the DE website (opens in a new window; https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/statistics-and-research-education-0) also presents data on uptake of school meals. Statistics on school enrolments, school performance, pupil attendance, teacher numbers, pupil: teacher ratios, school leaver destinations and qualifications may also be accessed via the website.

  5. The following symbols are used in the tables in this statistical bulletin:
    * = Relates to fewer than 5 cases
    # = Number (5 or more) suppressed to prevent disclosure of small numbers elsewhere
    - = Indicates no schools in this category

School Management Types

Controlled schools are managed and funded by the Education Authority (EA) through Boards of Governors (BoG). Primary and secondary school BoGs consist of representatives of transferors (mainly the Protestant Churches) along with representatives of parents, teachers and EA. Controlled nursery, grammar and special school BoGs consist only of representatives of the latter three categories and the Department (DE).

Controlled Integrated schools are managed and funded by the Education Authority (EA) through Boards of Governors (BoG). The majority of BoGs consist of representatives of transferors, catholic maintained trustees, parents, teachers and EA.

Grant-Maintained Integrated schools are owned and managed by their BoG which consist of foundation governors along with representatives of parents, teachers and DE. They are funded by EA.

A Voluntary school means a grant-aided school other than a controlled school or a grant‐maintained integrated school:

  • Catholic maintained schools are voluntary schools owned by trustees and managed by BoGs which consist of members appointed by trustees along with representatives of parents, teachers, EA and DE. Catholic Maintained schools are funded by EA.
  • Other maintained schools are voluntary schools owned by trustees and managed by BoGs which consist of members appointed by trustees along with representatives of parents, teachers, EA and in some cases, DE. Other Maintained schools are funded by EA.
  • Voluntary grammar schools are owned by trustees and managed by BoGs. The majority of BoGs consist of members appointed by the trustees along with representatives of parents, teachers, DE and in some cases, EA. Voluntary Grammar schools are funded by EA.

All of the above are types of grant-aided school. Independent Schools do not receive any funding from the Education Authority or the Department of Education.

Open Government Licence

All content in this report is licensed and available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Contact information

Request for further information should be addressed to:-

Helen McClure

Statistics and Research Team
Department of Education
Rathgael House
Balloo Road
Rathgill
BANGOR
Co. Down
BT19 7PR

Telephone (028) 9127 9403
E-mail:

Special analyses of the school meals statistics can be undertaken on request.

Press enquiries should be made to the Department’s Press Office at the same address, telephone (028) 9127 9772.

Feedback on this publication can be provided directly to Helen McClure (contact details above) or contact the Statistics and Research Team

7. List of tables and charts

School meals (free and paid for)

  • Table 1 Number and type of meals taken on reference date, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

  • Table 2 Percentage and type of meals taken on reference date, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

  • Table 3 Uptake of school meals (free and paid) - number and percentage of pupils present for lunch on reference date, by school type and school management type: 2020/21 – 2024/25

  • Table 4 Number and percentage of school meals provided (free and paid) by type of meal provision, school type and school management type: 2024/25

  • Table 5 Uptake of school meals (free and paid) – number and percentage of pupils present for lunch on reference date, according to relative free school meal entitlement, by school type: 2024/25

Free school meals

  • Table 6 Number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals by school type: 2020/21 – 2024/25

  • Table 7 Number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

  • Table 8 Number and percentage of pupils taking free school meals as a proportion of all school meals provided and as a proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

  • Table 9 Uptake of free school meals - number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals, by school type: 2020/21 – 2024/25

Adults taking school meals

  • Table 10 Adults taking school meals, by school type: 2024/25

Tables

Table 1

Table 1 Number and type of meals taken on reference date, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

School type Management type Paid meals (provided by school) [Note 2] Free meals (provided by school) All meals (provided by school) [Note 2] Pupils making other lunch arrangements (including own food) [Note 1] Total [Note 1]
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled 1,094 708 1,802 148 1,950
Nursery [Note 3] Catholic Maintained 592 582 1,174 192 1,366
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled Integrated 31 18 49 0 49
Nursery [Note 3] Total 1,717 1,308 3,025 340 3,365
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled 25,723 15,732 41,455 31,553 73,008
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Voluntary 862 11 873 374 1,247
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 28,930 19,530 48,460 25,825 74,285
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 1,272 1,213 2,485 1,336 3,821
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 1,594 1,279 2,873 2,364 5,237
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments GMI 2,229 1,201 3,430 2,976 6,406
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Total 60,610 38,966 99,576 64,428 164,004
Secondary Controlled 12,062 7,093 19,155 8,600 27,755
Secondary Catholic Maintained 15,484 11,222 26,706 9,697 36,403
Secondary Other Maintained 261 588 849 371 1,220
Secondary Controlled Integrated 1,156 1,153 2,309 1,578 3,887
Secondary GMI 5,320 2,703 8,023 1,537 9,560
Secondary Total 34,283 22,759 57,042 21,783 78,825
Grammar Controlled 6,888 1,021 7,909 5,999 13,908
Grammar Voluntary 33,081 4,896 37,977 12,526 50,503
Grammar Total 39,969 5,917 45,886 18,525 64,411
Post Primary Total 74,252 28,676 102,928 40,308 143,236
Special Controlled 998 3,058 4,056 1,753 5,809
Special Catholic Maintained 57 234 291 81 372
Special Other Maintained 6 45 51 20 71
Special Total 1,061 3,337 4,398 1,854 6,252
All schools Controlled 46,765 27,612 74,377 48,053 122,430
All schools Voluntary 33,943 4,907 38,850 12,900 51,750
All schools Catholic Maintained 45,063 31,568 76,631 35,795 112,426
All schools Other Maintained 1,539 1,846 3,385 1,727 5,112
All schools Controlled Integrated 2,781 2,450 5,231 3,942 9,173
All schools GMI 7,549 3,904 11,453 4,513 15,966
All schools Total 137,640 72,287 209,927 106,930 316,857

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. Excludes pupils present on the reference date whose school day did not include a lunch break, including part-time nursery pupils and some P1 pupils (see notes for readers, paragraph 13).

  2. Paid meal figures presented are equated meals: Where schools have a cash cafeteria system for lunch the meal numbers are calculated based on lunchtime income. Income from morning break provision is also included in the calculation of meal numbers (see notes for readers, paragraph 12)

  3. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  4. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

Table 2

Table 2 Percentage and type of meals taken on reference date, by school type and school management type: 2024/25

School type Management type Paid meals (provided by school) [Note 3] % Free meals (provided by school) % All meals (provided by school) [Note 3] % Pupils making other lunch arrangements (including own food) % [Note 2] Total [Note 1] %
Nursery [Note 4] Controlled 56.1 36.3 92.4 7.6 100.0
Nursery [Note 4] Catholic Maintained 43.3 42.6 85.9 14.1 100.0
Nursery [Note 4] Controlled Integrated 63.3 36.7 100.0 0.0 100.0
Nursery [Note 4] Total 51.0 38.9 89.9 10.1 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Controlled 35.2 21.5 56.8 43.2 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Voluntary 69.1 0.9 70.0 30.0 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 38.9 26.3 65.2 34.8 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 33.3 31.7 65.0 35.0 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 30.4 24.4 54.9 45.1 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments GMI 34.8 18.7 53.5 46.5 100.0
Primary [Note 5] & Preparatory Departments Total 37.0 23.8 60.7 39.3 100.0
Secondary Controlled 43.5 25.6 69.0 31.0 100.0
Secondary Catholic Maintained 42.5 30.8 73.4 26.6 100.0
Secondary Other Maintained 21.4 48.2 69.6 30.4 100.0
Secondary Controlled Integrated 29.7 29.7 59.4 40.6 100.0
Secondary GMI 55.6 28.3 83.9 16.1 100.0
Secondary Total 43.5 28.9 72.4 27.6 100.0
Grammar Controlled 49.5 7.3 56.9 43.1 100.0
Grammar Voluntary 65.5 9.7 75.2 24.8 100.0
Grammar Total 62.1 9.2 71.2 28.8 100.0
Post Primary Total 51.8 20.0 71.9 28.1 100.0
Special Controlled 17.2 52.6 69.8 30.2 100.0
Special Catholic Maintained 15.3 62.9 78.2 21.8 100.0
Special Other Maintained 8.5 63.4 71.8 28.2 100.0
Special Total 17.0 53.4 70.3 29.7 100.0
All schools Controlled 38.2 22.6 60.8 39.2 100.0
All schools Voluntary 65.6 9.5 75.1 24.9 100.0
All schools Catholic Maintained 40.1 28.1 68.2 31.8 100.0
All schools Other Maintained 30.1 36.1 66.2 33.8 100.0
All schools Controlled Integrated 30.3 26.7 57.0 43.0 100.0
All schools GMI 47.3 24.5 71.7 28.3 100.0
All schools Total 43.4 22.8 66.3 33.7 100.0

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. Figures may not add due to rounding.

  2. Excludes pupils present on the reference date whose school day did not include a lunch break, including part-time nursery pupils and some P1 pupils (see notes for readers, paragraph 13).

  3. Paid meal figures presented are equated meals: Where schools have a cash cafeteria system for lunch the meal numbers are calculated based on lunchtime income. Income from morning break provision is also included in the calculation of meal numbers (see background note 12).

  4. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  5. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

Table 3

Table 3 Uptake of school meals (free and paid) - number and percentage of pupils present for lunch on school meals census day, by school type and school management type: 2020/21 - 2024/25 [Note 1]

School type Management type 2020/21 School meals provided [Note 2 and 6] 2020/21 Uptake [Note 3 and 6] % 2021/22: Data not collected 2022/23 School meals provided [Note 2] 2022/23 Uptake [Note 3] % 2023/24: Data not collected 2024/25 School meals provided [Note 2] 2024/25 Uptake [Note 3] %
Nursery [Note 4] Controlled 1836 91.6 1,834 92.4 1,802 92.4
Nursery [Note 4] Catholic Maintained 1145 90.0 1,157 87.9 1,174 85.9
Nursery [Note 4] Controlled Integrated 48 51.1 49 100.0
Nursery [Note 4] Total 2981 91.0 3,039 89.5 3,025 89.9
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Controlled 34473 45.3 41,466 55.3 41,455 56.9
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Voluntary 852 58.8 1,010 73.0 873 70.0
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 41808 54.9 47,394 63.8 48,460 65.4
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 1953 53.2 2,349 62.8 2,485 65.0
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 1783 42.5 2,272 51.4 2,873 54.9
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Grant Maintained Integrated 2419 38.3 3,395 53.8 3,430 53.5
Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments Total 83288 49.6 97,886 59.2 99,576 60.8
Secondary Controlled 13850 51.9 15,903 58.4 19,155 68.4
Secondary Catholic Maintained 21112 62.2 23,634 67.5 26,706 73.6
Secondary Other Maintained 529 57.4 687 69.3 849 69.6
Secondary Controlled Integrated 1100 41.7 1,758 47.8 2,309 59.4
Secondary Grant Maintained Integrated 5398 59.1 7,435 76.8 8,023 83.9
Secondary Total 41989 57.2 49,417 64.5 57,042 72.2
Grammar Controlled 4808 35.1 6,495 47.4 7,909 56.6
Grammar Voluntary 26101 55.4 33,530 71.0 37,977 78.8
Grammar Total 30909 50.8 40,025 65.7 45,886 73.8
Post-Primary Total 72898 54.3 89,442 65.0 102,928 72.9
Special Controlled 3190 65.4 3,641 68.2 4,056 69.8
Special Catholic Maintained 194 65.1 261 77.4 291 78.2
Special Other Maintained 49 76.6 55 73.3 51 71.8
Special Total 3433 65.6 3,957 68.8 4,398 70.3
All Schools Controlled 58157 47.1 69,339 56.2 74,377 60.7
All Schools Voluntary 26953 55.5 34,540 71.1 38,850 78.6
All Schools Catholic Maintained 64259 57.5 72,446 65.3 76,631 68.4
All Schools Other Maintained 2531 54.3 3,091 64.3 3,385 66.2
All Schools Controlled Integrated 2883 42.2 4,078 49.8 5,231 57.0
All Schools Grant Maintained Integrated 7817 50.6 10,830 67.7 11,453 71.7
All Schools Grand Total 162600 52.3 194,324 62.3 209,927 66.8

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2020/21 - 2024/25

Note:

  1. School meals uptake data was not collected from schools for 2021/22

  2. Meal figures presented are equated meals: Where schools have a cash cafeteria system for lunch the meal numbers are calculated based on lunchtime income. Income from morning break provision is also included in the calculation of meal numbers (see notes for readers, paragraph 12).

  3. Uptake is expressed as the number of school meals provided (free and paid) as a percentage of the number of pupils present for lunch on census day. Pupils present for lunch excludes pupils present on school meals census day whose school day did not include a lunch break, including part-time nursery pupils and some P1 pupils (see notes for readers, paragraph 13).

  4. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  5. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

  6. In 2020/21 the school meal numbers include food provision to pupils who were unable to attend school due to COVID-19 but who were engaging in distance learning. The uptake figure is based on the number of pupils present for lunch on census day, including pupils who were engaging in distance learning.

Table 4

Table 4 : Number and percentage of school meals provided (free and paid) by type of meal provision, school type and school management type: 2024/25

School type Management type Traditional meals Number Traditional meals % Cash cafeteria meals [Note 1] Number Cash cafeteria meals [Note 1] %
Nursery [Note 2] Controlled 1,802 100.0 0 0.0
Nursery [Note 2] Catholic Maintained 1,174 100.0 0 0.0
Nursery [Note 2] Controlled Integrated 49 100.0 0 0.0
Nursery [Note 2] Total 3,025 100.0 0 0.0
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Controlled 40,997 98.9 458 1.1
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Voluntary 779 89.2 94 10.8
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 48,306 99.7 154 0.3
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 2,485 100.0 0 0.0
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 2,873 100.0 0 0.0
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments GMI 3,430 100.0 0 0.0
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments Total 98,870 99.3 706 0.7
Secondary Controlled 528 2.8 18,627 97.2
Secondary Catholic Maintained 3,325 12.5 23,381 87.5
Secondary Other Maintained 0 0.0 849 100.0
Secondary Controlled Integrated 20 0.9 2,289 99.1
Secondary GMI 1,164 14.5 6,859 85.5
Secondary Total 5,037 8.8 52,005 91.2
Grammar Controlled 234 3.0 7,675 97.0
Grammar Voluntary 788 2.1 37,189 97.9
Grammar Total 1,022 2.2 44,864 97.8
Post Primary Total 6,059 5.9 96,869 94.1
Special Controlled 4,056 100.0 0 0.0
Special Catholic Maintained 291 100.0 0 0.0
Special Other Maintained 51 100.0 0 0.0
Special Total 4,398 100.0 0 0.0
All schools Controlled 47,617 64.0 26,760 36.0
All schools Voluntary 1,567 4.0 37,283 96.0
All schools Catholic Maintained 53,096 69.3 23,535 30.7
All schools Other Maintained 2,536 74.9 849 25.1
All schools Controlled Integrated 2,942 56.2 2,289 43.8
All schools GMI 4,594 40.1 6,859 59.9
All schools Total 112,352 53.5 97,575 46.5

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. Cash cafeteria meal figures presented are equated meals: Where schools have a cash cafeteria system for lunch the meal numbers are calculated based on lunchtime income. Income from morning break provision is also included in the calculation of meal numbers (see notes for readers, paragraph 12).

  2. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  3. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

Table 5

Table 5 Uptake of school meals (free and paid) - number and percentage of pupils present for lunch on school meals census day, according to relative free school meal entitlement, by school type: 2024/25

Proportion entitled to free school meals School type Paid school meals provided [Note 1] Paid school meals uptake [Note 2] % Free school meals provided Free school meals uptake [Note 2] % All school meals provided [Note 1] All school meals uptake [Note 2] %
10% and less Nursery [Note 3] 96 69.1 8 5.8 104 74.8
10% and less Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments 10,137 46.1 1,217 5.5 11,354 51.7
10% and less Secondary 0 - 0 - 0 -
10% and less Grammar 22,951 65.9 1,926 5.5 24,877 71.4
10% and less Post Primary 22,951 65.9 1,926 5.5 24,877 71.4
10% and less Special 0 - 0 - 0 -
10% and less All Schools [Note 5] 33,184 58.3 3,151 5.5 36,335 63.8
10.1% - 20.0% Nursery [Note 3] 132 58.9 35 15.6 167 74.6
10.1% - 20.0% Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments 20,422 42.8 6,193 13.0 26,615 55.8
10.1% - 20.0% Secondary 7,446 59.2 1,537 12.2 8,983 71.4
10.1% - 20.0% Grammar 11,913 65.2 1,958 10.7 13,871 76.0
10.1% - 20.0% Post Primary 19,359 62.8 3,495 11.3 22,854 74.1
10.1% - 20.0% Special 0 - 0 - 0 -
10.1% - 20.0% All Schools [Note 5] 39,913 50.7 9,723 12.3 49,636 63.0
20.1% - 40.0% Nursery [Note 3] 744 60.7 324 26.4 1,068 87.1
20.1% - 40.0% Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments 22,515 37.2 14,714 24.3 37,229 61.5
20.1% - 40.0% Secondary 22,041 47.8 11,434 24.8 33,475 72.5
20.1% - 40.0% Grammar 5,105 56.2 2,033 22.4 7,138 78.6
20.1% - 40.0% Post Primary 27,146 49.1 13,467 24.4 40,613 73.5
20.1% - 40.0% Special 0 - 0 - 0 -
20.1% - 40.0% All Schools [Note 5] 50,405 43.1 28,505 24.4 78,910 67.5
40.1% + Nursery [Note 3] 745 41.9 941 53.0 1,686 94.9
40.1% + Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments 7,536 22.5 16,842 50.4 24,378 72.9
40.1% + Secondary 4,796 23.7 9,788 48.4 14,584 72.1
40.1% + Grammar 0 - 0 - 0 -
40.1% + Post Primary 4,796 23.7 9,788 48.4 14,584 72.1
40.1% + Special 1,061 17.0 3,337 53.5 4,398 70.5
40.1% + All Schools [Note 5] 14,138 22.9 30,908 50.1 45,046 73.0

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. Meal figures presented are equated meals: Where schools have a cash cafeteria system for lunch the meal numbers are calculated based on lunchtime income. Income from morning break provision is also included in the calculation of meal numbers (see notes for readers, paragraph 12).

  2. Uptake is expressed as the number of school meals provided (free and paid) as a percentage of the number of pupils present for lunch on census day. Pupils present for lunch excludes pupils present on school meals census day whose school day did not include a lunch break, including part-time nursery pupils and some P1 pupils (see notes for readers, paragraph 13).

  3. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  4. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

  5. Does not include pupils attending EOTAS centres.

Table 6

Table 6 : Number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 1] by school type: 2020/21 - 2024/25

Category School Type 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Total enrolment Nursery [Note 4] 5,835 5,795 5,796 5,784 5,741
Total enrolment Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments 183,079 182,142 181,075 179,421 177,543
Total enrolment Secondary (non grammar) 84,520 86,588 88,590 90,486 90,321
Total enrolment Grammar 64,398 65,313 65,722 65,917 66,568
Total enrolment Special 6,403 6,653 6,930 7,192 7,462
Total enrolment All Schools [Note 6] 344,235 346,491 348,113 348,800 347,635
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] Nursery [Note 4] 2,064 2,259 2,247 2,400 2,390
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments 52,088 52,976 51,174 49,963 47,844
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] Secondary (non grammar) 31,372 31,292 30,942 30,769 29,182
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] Grammar 8,793 8,762 8,354 7,923 7,476
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] Special 3,257 3,515 3,602 3,911 4,043
Entitlement to free school meals [Note 2] All Schools [Note 6] 97,631 98,804 96,319 94,966 90,935
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] Nursery [Note 4] 35.4 39.0 38.8 41.5 41.6
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] Primary [Note 5] and Preparatory Departments 28.5 29.1 28.3 27.8 26.9
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] Secondary (non grammar) 37.1 36.1 34.9 34.0 32.3
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] Grammar 13.7 13.4 12.7 12.0 11.2
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] Special 50.9 52.8 52.0 54.4 54.2
Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 2 and 3] All Schools [Note 6] 28.4 28.5 27.7 27.2 26.2

Source: NI school census 2020/21 - 2024/25

Note:

  1. School meals uptake data was not collected from schools for 2021/22

  2. Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance where an award of income-based job-seekers allowance has been converted and the amount of the award remains unchanged; and Universal Credit are some of the benefits which determine eligibility for free school meals. As school meals are not universally available to children in pre-school education, parental receipt of these benefits is a better indicator of social disadvantage for the pre-school sector.

  3. Percentages express the number of pupils entitled to free school meals in a particular category (e.g. those at primary school) as a proportion of the total pupil enrolment in the same category.

  4. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  5. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

  6. Does not include pupils attending EOTAS centres.

Table 7

Table 7 : Number and percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 1], by school type and school management type: 2024/25

School type Management Type Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 1] Free school meal entitlement [Note 2] %
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled 1,512 38.8
Nursery [Note 3] Catholic Maintained 844 48.6
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled Integrated 34 31.2
Nursery [Note 3] Total 2,390 41.6
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled 20,265 25.4
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Voluntary 12 1.0
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 22,825 28.7
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 1,405 33.1
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 1,634 28.6
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments GMI 1,703 23.7
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Total 47,844 26.9
Secondary Controlled 9,946 30.6
Secondary Catholic Maintained 13,815 33.6
Secondary Other Maintained 552 40.4
Secondary Controlled Integrated 1,596 35.9
Secondary GMI 3,273 29.9
Secondary Total 29,182 32.3
Grammar Controlled 1,353 9.2
Grammar Voluntary 6,123 11.8
Grammar Total 7,476 11.2
Post Primary Total 36,658 23.4
Special Controlled 3,741 53.8
Special Catholic Maintained 257 61.9
Special Other Maintained 45 50.0
Special Total 4,043 54.2
All schools [Note 5] Controlled 36,817 26.7
All schools [Note 5] Voluntary 6,135 11.6
All schools [Note 5] Catholic Maintained 37,741 30.8
All schools [Note 5] Other Maintained 2,002 35.1
All schools [Note 5] Controlled Integrated 3,264 31.8
All schools [Note 5] GMI 4,976 27.4
All schools [Note 5] Total 90,935 26.2

Source: NI school census 2024/25.

Note:

  1. Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance where an award of income-based job-seekers allowance has been converted and the amount of the award remains unchanged; and Universal Credit are some of the benefits which determine eligibility for free school meals. As school meals are not universally available to children in pre-school education, parental receipt of these benefits is a better indicator of social disadvantage for the pre-school sector.

  2. Percentages express the number of pupils entitled to free school meals in a particular category (e.g. those at primary school) as a proportion of the total pupil enrolment in the same category.

  3. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  4. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

  5. Does not include pupils attending EOTAS centres.

Table 8

Table 8 Number and percentage of pupils taking free school meals as a proportion of all school meals provided and as a proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 1], by school type and school management type: 2024/25

School type Management type Free school meals taken by pupils present Free meals as a proportion of all school meals provided [Note 2] % Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 1] %
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled 708 39.3 79.6
Nursery [Note 3] Catholic Maintained 582 49.6 85.6
Nursery [Note 3] Controlled Integrated 18 36.7 78.3
Nursery [Note 3] Total 1,308 43.2 82.2
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled 15,732 37.9 78.9
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Voluntary 11 1.3 91.7
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Catholic Maintained 19,530 40.3 86.3
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Other Maintained 1,213 48.8 89.0
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Controlled Integrated 1,279 44.5 79.9
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments GMI 1,201 35.0 75.0
Primary [Note 4] & Preparatory Departments Total 38,966 39.1 82.7
Secondary Controlled 7,093 37.0 71.3
Secondary Catholic Maintained 11,222 42.0 81.2
Secondary Other Maintained 588 69.3 106.5
Secondary Controlled Integrated 1,153 49.9 72.2
Secondary GMI 2,703 33.7 82.6
Secondary Total 22,759 39.9 78.0
Grammar Controlled 1,021 12.9 75.5
Grammar Voluntary 4,896 12.9 80.0
Grammar Total 5,917 12.9 79.1
Post Primary Total 28,676 27.9 78.2
Special Controlled 3,058 75.4 81.7
Special Catholic Maintained 234 80.4 91.1
Special Other Maintained 45 88.2 100.0
Special Total 3,337 75.9 82.5
All schools [Note 5] Controlled 27,612 37.1 77.0
All schools [Note 5] Voluntary 4,907 12.6 80.0
All schools [Note 5] Catholic Maintained 31,568 41.2 84.4
All schools [Note 5] Other Maintained 1,846 54.5 94.2
All schools [Note 5] Controlled Integrated 2,450 46.8 76.1
All schools [Note 5] GMI 3,904 34.1 80.1
All schools [Note 5] Total 72,287 34.4 80.8

Entitlement Source: NI school census 2024/25

Uptake Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. For the purposes of calculating uptake of free school meals by pupils entitled the denominator used is based on full-time pupils only and excludes pupils counted under the proxy measure of free school meal entitlement (parental receipt of qualifying benefits). This only applies to nursery and primary schools. See notes for readers, paragraph 14.

  2. Percentages express the number of pupils taking free school meals in a particular category (e.g. those at primary school) as a proportion of all school meals provided in the same category.

  3. Only includes pupils at nursery schools.

  4. Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

  5. Does not include pupils attending EOTAS centres.

Table 9

Table 9 : Uptake of free school meals - number and percentage [Note 1] of pupils entitled to free school meals, by school type: 2020/21 - 2024/25

Category School Type 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] Nursery Schools [Note 4] 1,382 1,371 1,308
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] Primary and Preparatory Departments [Note 4] 39,703 41,329 38,966
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] Secondary 22,654 23,231 22,759
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] Grammar 6,181 6,087 5,917
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] Special 2,423 2,943 3,337
Free school meals taken by pupils present [Note 2] All schools 72,343 74,961 72,287
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] Nursery Schools [Note 4] 1,675 1,630 1,592
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] Primary and Preparatory Departments [Note 4] 51,484 50,167 47,142
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] Secondary 31,372 30,942 29,182
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] Grammar 8,793 8,354 7,476
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] Special 3,242 3,602 4,043
Pupils entitled to free school meals [Note 3] All schools 96,566 94,695 89,435
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] Nursery Schools [Note 4] 82.5 84.1 82.2
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] Primary and Preparatory Departments [Note 4] 77.1 82.4 82.7
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] Secondary 72.2 75.1 78
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] Grammar 70.3 72.9 79.1
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] Special 74.7 81.7 82.5
Free school meals taken as a proportion of pupils entitled [Note 2 and 3] All schools 74.9 79.2 80.8

Entitlement Source: NI school census 2020/21 - 2024/25

Uptake Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2020/21 - 2024/25

Note:

  1. School meals uptake data was not collected from schools for 2021/22.

  2. Percentages express the number of free school meals taken in a particular category (e.g. those at primary school) as a proportion of the number of pupils entitled to free school meals in the same category.

  3. For the purposes of calculating uptake of free school meals by pupils entitled the free school meal entitlement figure used is based on fulltime pupils only and excludes pupils counted under the proxy measure of free school meal entitlement (parental receipt of qualifying benefits). This only applies to nursery and primary schools. Figures prior to 2016/17 are not directly comparable. See notes for readers, paragraph 14.

  4. The nursery figures only include pupils at nursery schools. The primary figures include pupils in reception and nursery classes of primary schools.

Table 10

Table 10 Adults taking school meals, by school type: 2024/25

School type Adult taking school meal (free or paid) Adult taking free school meal [Note 1] %
Nursery [Note 2] 276 89.9
Primary [Note 3] & Preparatory Departments 5,049 88.1
Secondary 2,999 75.2
Grammar 1,834 62.4
Post Primary Total 4,833 70.0
Special 901 97.4
Total 11,059 81.1

Source: NI school meals uptake data collection 2024/25

Note:

  1. Depending on their terms and conditions kitchen staff and mid-day supervisors may be entitled to a free mid-day meal. Those who opt in for a free meal have a small daily deduction per day from salary.

  2. Only includes nursery classes in nursery schools.

  3. Includes reception and nursery classes in primary schools.

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